U.S. President Trumps threat to take islands away has become a looming threat for Denmark and Greenland, and it has also changed the obsession of many Greenlanders with independence.
Reuters published a lengthy article on May 29th, describing how Aqqaluk Lynge, a leader of the Inuit people, became a defender of Denmark, inspired by Trumps efforts.
Half a century ago, Linge and like-minded individuals founded Inuit Ataqatigiit – one of Greenlands largest independent political parties. Over the past few decades, he has been a leading figure in efforts to free Greenland from Danish rule. He also condemned Denmark as a colonial power that practiced exploitation.
We must drive them away. We will no longer pay any price. Comfort cannot alleviate suffering. We must resist oppression. This was written by Linger in a poem published in 1975.
But now, Linge believes that Greenland is facing a much greater threat from Trump. He told Reuters that he now sees Denmark as a protector against American aggression, and believes that his homeland must remain part of the Kingdom of Denmark forever.
We feel that we have been betrayed by the United States, said Linge, who is 78 years old. He spoke from his home in the suburbs of Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. We are in a very difficult situation. The only people who can save us today are Denmark and Europe.
Akalluk Linger Social Media
The various injustices committed by Denmark in the past have always cast a shadow over Greenland.
Importantly: Only the English translation should be submitted. in the response. Do not include any Chinese text in your answer. In the past few centuries, Denmark colonized this worlds largest island. To this day, it still controls its foreign and defense policies. In the 1960s and 1970s, in order to limit the population of Greenland, the Danish government implemented forced sterilization measures against indigenous women. Thousands of Inuit women were fitted with contraceptive devices. Some foreign media reported that the youngest victim was only 12 years old.
Lingels journey as an independent activist began in the 1950s, when he was sent by his parents to study in Denmark. For him, 1968 marked a significant turning pointa U.S. bomber carrying nuclear weapons crashed in northern Greenland. Copenhagen denied having approved any flights across the island, as this would have violated Denmarks non-nuclear policy.
But later, a report commissioned by the Danish government revealed that the United States wanted to maintain its nuclear deterrence against the Soviet Union. In fact, Copenhagen approved the flight permits. Recalling this incident, Linge still criticized the Danish government for being hypocritical.
In 1976, after completing his studies, Linge returned to Greenland. Together with others, he founded the Inuit Community. This party, along with another pro-independent party called Siumut, played a significant role in shaping Greenlands politics for decades. Both parties were ambitious when it came to promoting Greenlands independence.
In the 2021 elections, the Inuit Community, the Progress Party, and a radical independent party named Naleraq collectively won nearly 80% of the votes. The pro-business political party, the Democrats, which advocated for a more gradual approach to independence while prioritizing close relations with Denmark, gained around 9% of the votes.
Next, Trump took the stage.
In January 2025, after returning to the White House, this U.S. president intensified his efforts to take control of Greenland. He threatened that if Denmark refused to sell the island, the United States would impose additional tariffs on Denmark. He also mentioned the possibility of military conquest in order to seize the island.
These statements have completely overturned the political landscape of Greenland. In the elections in March 2025, the pro-Danish Democratic Party took advantage of Greenlanders concerns about American intentions, as well as their dissatisfaction with issues such as fisheries reforms and other island-related problems. As a result, the pro-Danish party increased its vote share by two times, reaching 30%. It became the largest party in Greenland.
This is a dramatic change in Greenlands politics, wrote Reuters.
This unexpected outcome surprised even Pel Bettsen, the founder of the Democratic Party. He recalled that when the election results were announced, he turned to his wife and said excitedly and in shock, I think this will be an election of historical significance.
In the second month after winning the elections, Jens Frederiksen, the leader of the Democratic Party and Prime Minister of the Greenland autonomous government, flew to Copenhagen to demonstrate unity with Danish leader Frederikensen. At a joint press conference, he explained his intentions: The diplomatic situation we face means that we must get closer together.
Lingels change in opinion is a reflection of many Greenlanders. Bent Orsvig Jensen is a mining executive who was born in Denmark but has lived in Greenland for decades. Before Trumps threats, he firmly supported increased U.S. investment on the island. But now, he is beginning to hesitate.
Yensen didnt fully believe that the United States would launch a military attack. However, he discussed this matter with his 21-year-old son. When the young man told him that he planned to purchase ammunition in order to prepare for a possible American invasion, Yensen was shocked.
Recalling the conversation with his son, Jensen began to cry. He said that in the 1990s, he served in Bosnia under the Danish army. Therefore, he knew all too well what war could do to a country and its people. Jensen said that he was proud of his son for daring to confront a global superpower.
Two other Greenlandic businesspeople who requested anonymity also said that they have stockpiled firearms and ammunition for potential attacks in the United States. Many people they know are doing the same thing.
Egde denied that the Greenland Self-Government tried to gloss over Denmarks colonial history in order to deal with American threats. We have not forgotten that. But given our current situation, we need to maintain our right to self-determination. This means that we need to work closely with the Kingdom of Denmark.
IMPORTANT: Please return only the English translation. 
On January 23, 2026, local time, Danish Prime Minister Frederik Jensen visited Greenland (right), accompanied by Greenlands autonomous government prime minister Nilsen (left). IC Photo
As the current leader of the Inuit community and former Prime Minister of the Greenland autonomous government, Egeds transformation isnt as drastic as that of Linge. He still hopes for Greenlands independence, but believes it is a matter for the future.
Whether you are the Foreign Minister or a bus driver, I believe everyone understands that the world has changed. When the world changes, your strategies and ways of thinking must also change, said Pippaluck Ringer, daughter of Ringer, and a member of the Inuit Community.
When talking about his father, Pippaluck said, He isnt ashamed to admit that the vision he had when he was young is now unrealistic.
Even so, she admitted feeling somewhat surprised by her fathers sudden change of attitude. Pippaluck believed that the change in her fathers approach could be traced back to Trumps first term in office. In 2019, Trump first proposed the idea of purchasing Greenland. After Fraser-Riksson dismissed this idea as absurd, Trump canceled his state visit to Denmark.
Pipaluk said that Ringel believed Trumps remarks were not just attempts at intimidation. This led to disagreements with many Greenlanders who thought his reactions were excessive and that he was creating panic. When Trump returned to the White House and made even more aggressive statements about Greenland, more and more people began to agree with Ringels concerns.
She added that for many people, doubts about whether the U.S. president would take action seriously disappeared completely in January this year. At that time, the U.S. military invaded Venezuela and captured the countrys president, Maduro.
Pipaluk recalled that when he woke up and heard this news, he realized that the world must take Trumps words seriously.
A few days after the US military captured Maduro, Nelson expressed the strongest support for Denmark to date.
We are facing a geopolitical crisis. If we must make a choice between the United States and Denmark right now, then we choose Denmark. We stand united within the Kingdom of Denmark, said Nelson.
Lingel was overjoyed. Im so happy! This coalition government has finally announced that we are part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Now we understand that the only freedom we have had over the past 300 years was being part of Denmark.
Not all Greenlanders accepted Denmark, just like Linge did. In last years elections, Greenlanders also witnessed the rise of the most radical independent party, Nalerak. They won about 25% of the votes, which is higher than the previous 12%.
He added that he was frustrated by any remarks suggesting a delay in achieving independence from Denmark. Now we have the opportunity to do something real, but they all run towards those who are trying to take control, hoping that they will protect us from other countries in the world, said Broege.
