French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Greenland on Sunday carrying a “message of solidarity and friendship” from France and the European Union.
Macron reiterated his criticism of Trump’s intention to take control of the strategically located island:
“I don’t think that’s something to be done between allies,” he said as he was greeted at the Nuuk airport by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
“It’s important to show that Denmark and Europe are committed to this territory, which has very high strategic stakes and whose territorial integrity must be respected,” Macron said. He was making a stop on his way to a G7 summit in Canada that will be also attended by Trump.
Macron, who is visiting Greenland for the first time, said “it means a lot to me (...) to convey a message of friendship and solidarity from France and the European Union to help this territory face the different challenges: economic development, education, as well as the consequences of climate change."
In a speech last week at at the UN Ocean Conference, Macron also mentioned Greenland and the deep seas, saying they are not “up for grabs” in remarks that appeared directed largely at Trump.
Trump and Greenland
Last week, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to acknowledge that the Pentagon has developed plans to take over Greenland and Panama by force but refused to answer repeated questions on the details during a hotly combative congressional hearing on Thursday.
Hegseth's comments were the latest controversial remarks made by a member of the Trump administration about the Arctic island. The president himself has said he won't rule out military force to take over Greenland, which he considers vital to American security in the high north.
Greenland's PM Nielsen said after his election in April that US statements about the island have been "disrespectful" and that Greenland “will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by just anyone.”
