Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen (L, on the snow) is seen during a demonstration against U.S. actions and remarks suggesting control over Greenland in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, Jan. 17, 2026. (Photo by Anders Kongshaug/Xinhua)
COPENHAGEN, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- By Saturday noon, thousands had gathered in central Copenhagen, bundled against the January cold, as Danish and Greenlandic flags rippled overhead and chants of "Greenland is not for sale" and "Hands off Greenland" echoed through the crowd in protest against U.S. actions and remarks suggesting control over the island.
Among the protesters were Luna Schulz and her 12-year-old son, Noa Benjamin Joensen. Standing in Copenhagen's City Hall Square, Noa clutched a hand-drawn cartoon depicting U.S. President Donald Trump as a crying baby, reaching out and whining, "I WANT, I WANT GREENLAND." The cartoon drew smiles, cameras and knowing nods from fellow demonstrators.
"I want to tell Trump that Greenland is not for sale," Noa told Xinhua. "You can't just buy a country. You may want it, but it's not for you."
Schulz said she wanted her son to see people standing up for respect. "We definitely don't want anything to do with Trump -- not in Greenland and not in Denmark -- unless it's in a kind and respectful way," she said.
Moving through the crowd in traditional Inuit attire was Sika Nuunu Kristensen, one of the protest's organizers. With a Greenlandic father and a life now rooted in Copenhagen, she said her personal ties only strengthened her resolve.
"Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland," she said. "We hope everyone listens to this message and truly hears it."
Kristensen added that Trump's statements, in her view, violate international law, while expressing hope that "the rest of America does not support this."
Laila G. Frederiksen, who moved from Greenland to Denmark three years ago, voiced deep concern over the increasingly aggressive U.S. takeover rhetoric. "If we were to fall under the U.S., the cost of living, including medical care, would rise, making life in Greenland more difficult," she said.
Jan E. Jorgensen, a veteran Danish politician from the Liberal Party, also voiced his frustration over U.S. treatment of its allies. "This is out of the ordinary. It's sad, frustrating and a huge disappointment," he noted.
Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policy. The United States maintains a military base on the island. Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to "obtain" Greenland.
Despite widespread outcry and firm rejection by Denmark, Greenland, and NATO allies, Trump doubled down on his bid to take over Greenland.
In a social media post on Saturday, Trump said the United States would levy a 10-percent tariff from Feb. 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland. He warned the rate would rise to 25 percent on June 1 and remain in place until a deal is reached for the "complete and total purchase" of Greenland.
European leaders quickly hit back by pledging a united response and vowing to stay committed to upholding Europe's sovereignty.
The episode has also reignited debate over whether the EU should activate stronger defensive trade tools, including the bloc's so-called "bazooka," the Anti-Coercion Instrument.
Manfred Weber, chair of the European People's Party, the largest group in the European Parliament, also said on Saturday that, given Trump's threats over Greenland, approval of the EU-U.S. trade deal signed in July last year was "not possible" at this stage and that any move toward zero tariffs on U.S. products should be put on hold.
The deal, which sets U.S. tariffs on imports from the EU at 15 percent in exchange for the bloc not applying levies on American exports, has already been partially implemented but still needs a nod from parliament.
Cyprus, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, said late Saturday it had called an emergency meeting for Sunday, with ambassadors from the EU's 27 member states set to convene to coordinate next steps. ■
People attend a demonstration against U.S. actions and remarks suggesting control over Greenland in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, Jan. 17, 2026. (Photo by Anders Kongshaug/Xinhua)
People attend a demonstration against U.S. actions and remarks suggesting control over Greenland in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, Jan. 17, 2026. (Photo by Anders Kongshaug/Xinhua)
