President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after David Perdue was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to China during a ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Washington.
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Ex-president Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, discussed Greenland’s geopolitical position, using Iceland’s journey to independence as a potential blueprint for Greenland’s future.
These talks come at a particularly relevant time as Trump repeated comments regarding his desire for the U.S. to assume control over Greenland. These comments formed a part of an interview where Trump reflected on his first 100 days in office.
US-Greenland relations
The first mention of the desire for U.S. control over Greenland came in 2019, where Trump floated the idea of “purchasing” Greenland. This idea was rejected by both Greenland and Denmark, Greenland currently being a Danish territory.
In December 2024, prior to his second inauguration, Trump posted a tweet stating that U.S. control over Greenland was “an absolute necessity.”
This thought was reiterated on the 2nd of May after the release of his most recent interview when he again stated that the U.S. “needs Greenland very badly”, and that he wouldn’t rule out “military force”.
In a conference at LSE this week, the former President of Iceland joined academics to discuss Greenland’s future and the ways in which it might mirror Iceland’s history. He said:
“Icelanders are willing to work with them, as they wish […] that approach is both self-centred and altruistic […] Iceland is an obvious partner for Greenland.”
Jóhannesson described Iceland’s history as “a roadmap”, for the potential route to Greenland independence. CREDIT: Corinna Brown for City News
Regarding Trump’s comments over the weekend he described them as “preposterous”, suggesting that Trump’s “determination has dramatically influenced all future scenarios”.
Friend, colleague and fellow academic of Jóhannesson’s, Professor Kristina Spohr suggested that the threat to Greenland was “considerable”, and expressed concerns over the impact such statements would have on Denmark-Greenland relations.
Professor Steven Lamy from the University of South California, an expert on Greenland, U.S. relations, suggested that Trump’s motivations refer to a desire for the U.S. to have access to the “rare earth minerals” before other players reach them.
Greenland’s response and the extent of the consequence of such comments remain to be seen.
This is a developing story, we will bring you more details as they come. Please refresh the page to update.
HeadlineEx-President of Iceland Guðni Th. Jóhannesson responds to Trump’s Greenland comments
Short Headline Ex-President of Iceland discusses Trump's Greenland comments
StandfirstAt a conference in LSE this week, experts and political figures respond to Trump's Greenland comments
Ex-president Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, discussed Greenland’s geopolitical position, using Iceland’s journey to independence as a potential blueprint for Greenland’s future.
These talks come at a particularly relevant time as Trump repeated comments regarding his desire for the U.S. to assume control over Greenland. These comments formed a part of an interview where Trump reflected on his first 100 days in office.
US-Greenland relations
The first mention of the desire for U.S. control over Greenland came in 2019, where Trump floated the idea of “purchasing” Greenland. This idea was rejected by both Greenland and Denmark, Greenland currently being a Danish territory.
In December 2024, prior to his second inauguration, Trump posted a tweet stating that U.S. control over Greenland was “an absolute necessity.”
This thought was reiterated on the 2nd of May after the release of his most recent interview when he again stated that the U.S. “needs Greenland very badly”, and that he wouldn’t rule out “military force”.
In a conference at LSE this week, the former President of Iceland joined academics to discuss Greenland’s future and the ways in which it might mirror Iceland’s history. He said:
“Icelanders are willing to work with them, as they wish […] that approach is both self-centred and altruistic […] Iceland is an obvious partner for Greenland.”
Jóhannesson described Iceland’s history as “a roadmap”, for the potential route to Greenland independence. CREDIT: Corinna Brown for City News
Regarding Trump’s comments over the weekend he described them as “preposterous”, suggesting that Trump’s “determination has dramatically influenced all future scenarios”.
Friend, colleague and fellow academic of Jóhannesson’s, Professor Kristina Spohr suggested that the threat to Greenland was “considerable”, and expressed concerns over the impact such statements would have on Denmark-Greenland relations.
Professor Steven Lamy from the University of South California, an expert on Greenland, U.S. relations, suggested that Trump’s motivations refer to a desire for the U.S. to have access to the “rare earth minerals” before other players reach them.
Greenland’s response and the extent of the consequence of such comments remain to be seen.
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