Greenlanders have described the prospect of a US invasion of their country as “terrifying”. 

Donald Trump has long been open about his desire to annex the Danish territory and has stepped up the rhetoric in recent weeks. 

The US President said he would do it "the easy way" or "the hard way", falsely claiming that Greenland is "covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place".

 However, in Greenland’s snow covered capital of Nuuk, Newstalk’s Josh Crosbie found a people with an overwhelming desire to be left alone by the world’s most powerful nation. 

Although part of the Danish Realm, Greenland also has a rather fraught relationship with Copenhagen. 

Bitterness about the brutality of Denmark’s treatment of native Greenlanders still lingers, but there is also a strong sense that the island is not yet ready for full independence. 

Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance pose during a tour of Pituffik Space Base in Greenland. Picture by: Jim Watson/Pool via AP.

One man who has spent decades thinking about the complex relationship between Greenland and Denmark is Per Berthelsen, who for many years was involved in the territory’s Democratic Party. 

Categorically, he believes that Greenlanders are “not Americans” - but nor do most feel Danish. 

“When I started a rock band 55 years ago, I said I don't accept that Danish people called us Northern Danes,” he explained. 

“We are not Northern Danes, we are Greenlanders. 

“We really respected the States as being the guardians of democracy in the world.

“But now we experience that the strongest and biggest ally is threatening the smallest one without any military. 

“Only 56,000 people in the world's biggest island - it's terrifying.”

Statement by the Prime Minister of Greenland Jens-Frederik Nielsen🇬🇱#Greenland #Naalakkersuisut pic.twitter.com/jaCESVBaXa

— Greenland in USA&CDA🇬🇱 (@GreenlandRepDC) January 5, 2026

Danish politicians are due to fly out to Washington for a meeting with the Trump Administration, where they hope they can persuade the US to take a less belligerent attitude towards Greenland. 

“Firstly, I hope the Secretary of State in the US, Mr Rubio, will act more diplomatic - that's my wish,” Mr Berthelsen said.

“And stop US in threatening us to take over or buy us.”

Western Greenland. Picture by: Alamy.com.

While Greenlanders overwhelmingly oppose the idea of becoming Americans, nor are most keen on the idea of remaining Danish. 

Like most of his neighbours, Mr Berthelsen added that he would one day like to see the Danish flag hauled down from flagpoles across Greenland - but not yet. 

Denmark continues to provide Greenland with lavish financial subsidies and most locals do not want independence if it costs them anything. 

“We are 56,000 people with a very big and expensive country to run,” Mr Berthelsen said. 

“The biggest island in the world with a very limited economic freedom to be able to be independent. 

“We have to be pragmatic and realistic because if we don't do that, we will lose the weakest individuals in our country.”

A hunting camp in Dundas, Greenland. Picture by: Alamy.com.

Such views are universal; out on the streets of Nuuk, local man Dennis said he would shed no tears if the Star Spangled Banner was raised over Greenland. 

“I'm open to what he's doing because the world is changing, so we have to adapt,” he argued. 

“So, I think Trump, what he's doing, if he's not, somebody else is going to do it. 

“It's a process that cannot be stopped.

“We have to pick someone; if we don't pick USA, we have to pick Russia.”

Another woman criticised Europe as a “bit silent” on the matter and urged western Governments to be more vocal on the matter. 

“Greenland is Greenland and they have to be answering to what they want to do,” she said. 

Last year, a poll found that 85% of Greenlanders do not want to become a part of the United States, 9% are undecided and 6% are unsure. 

Main image: A split of Donald Trump and Greenland. Pictures by: AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta.