Thousands protest US Presidents claims on Greenland sovereignty

Thousands of Greenlanders Participate in Anti-US Protest in Nuuk

On Saturday, thousands of people gathered in Nuuk, the capital city of Greenland, to protest against US President Donald Trump’s plan to exert control over the island and impose tariffs on European countries. The protesters carried signs, waved their national flag, and chanted slogans such as “Greenland is not for sale” in defense of their self-governance.

The march began at the city center and ended at the US consulate, where news broke that Trump had announced a 10% import tax from February on goods from eight European countries. The move was seen as retaliation for opposition to US control of Greenland, which is a self-governing territory of Denmark.

Trump has long advocated for US ownership of the island, citing its strategic location and mineral resources. The US military operation that ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month appears to have strengthened Trump’s resolve on the issue.

In Nuuk, protesters listened to traditional songs as they made their way to the consulate. Tillie Martinussen, a former member of Greenland’s parliament, expressed her hopes that the Trump administration would abandon its plans. “They started out by saying they wanted to make Greenland better for us than the Danes would,” she said. “And now they’re just outright threatening us.”

Martinussen emphasized that the fight to preserve NATO and Greenland’s autonomy was more important than concerns over tariffs. However, she acknowledged that the potential economic impact of the US move should not be ignored. The protest was seen as a demonstration of the importance of freedom and self-determination for the people of Greenland.

Source: Al Jazeera