In a significant diplomatic move, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has publicly declared his country's firm support for Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland. This statement comes amidst escalating rhetoric from the United States regarding a potential annexation of the vast Arctic island.
Arctic Allies Stand Together
Carney made the announcement through a post on the social media platform X, sharing a photograph with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. In the accompanying caption, he emphasised the strong partnership between the two nations, stating, "Canada and Denmark are Allies and partners in our shared responsibility for the security and resilience of the Arctic."
He further solidified Canada's position, adding, "As I reaffirmed to PM Frederiksen today, Canada will always support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Denmark, including Greenland." The leaders also confirmed their continued joint efforts to secure peace in Ukraine and across Europe.
European Solidarity Against US Pressure
The Canadian leader is not alone in this stance. On Tuesday, a coalition of European powers, including France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom, issued a unified statement backing Denmark. This show of force was a direct response to comments from former US President Donald Trump and his aides expressing interest in acquiring Greenland.
Notably, all these nations, along with Denmark and the US, are members of the NATO alliance. Their collective statement was unequivocal: "Greenland belongs to its people," and "It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland."
The trigger for this diplomatic pushback was an interview on Monday where Trump's deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, told CNN, "The president has been clear for months now that the United States should be the nation that has Greenland as part of our overall security apparatus." Trump himself had earlier claimed Greenland was "covered with Russian and Chinese ships" and asserted the US needed the island for national security, doubting Denmark's capability.
Diplomatic Outreach: High-Level Visit Planned
Beyond verbal assurances, Canada is taking concrete steps. Prime Minister Carney announced that Canada's Indigenous Governor General, Mary Simon, who is of Inuk descent, and Foreign Minister Anita Anand are scheduled to visit Greenland in early February. This high-profile delegation is expected to open a Canadian consulate in Nuuk, Greenland's capital, signalling a long-term commitment to engagement in the region.
During his meeting with PM Frederiksen at the Canadian embassy in Paris, Carney had reiterated the core principle, "The future of Greenland and Denmark are decided solely by the people of Denmark." This episode highlights the growing geopolitical tensions in the Arctic and the firm resistance from Western allies to unilateral territorial ambitions, setting a clear precedent for international norms.
