French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Greenland, a strategically important Arctic island that has drawn interest from US President Donald Trump. Macron’s visit was intended to convey a “message of solidarity and friendship” from France and the European Union.
Macron also reiterated his disapproval of Trump’s past interest in acquiring the territory.
“I don’t think that’s something to be done between allies,” Macron stated upon arrival at Nuuk Airport, where he was greeted by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic 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 added.
The Greenland stopover occurred on his way to a Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada, which Trump will also attend.
“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,” Macron said, marking his first visit to Greenland.
In a recent speech at the UN Ocean Conference, Macron alluded to Greenland and deep-sea resources, declaring they are not “up for grabs,” seemingly in response to Trump’s earlier interest.
In recent months, Macron has been working to strengthen France’s role as a leading diplomatic and economic force within the 27-member European Union.
The French president has presented himself as a European leader, especially in light of Trump’s prior threats to reduce support for Ukraine as it defends against Russia’s invasion.
Macron recently hosted a summit in Paris with other European heads of state to discuss the situation in Kyiv, along with broader European security concerns.
The Sunday visit was also planned as an opportunity for discussions on improving relations between the EU and Greenland, focusing on economic development, the transition to low-carbon energy, and access to critical minerals.
According to Macron’s office, the leaders also planned to discuss efforts to mitigate global warming.
Later on Sunday, Macron, Frederiksen, and Nielsen convened a meeting on a Danish helicopter carrier, highlighting France’s concerns about security issues in the region.
The preceding week, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to acknowledge the Pentagon’s contingency plans to potentially seize Greenland and Panama by force. However, he declined to answer questions during a congressional hearing regarding his alleged use of Signal to discuss military operations.
Hegseth’s remarks followed previous controversial statements made by members of the Trump administration concerning the Arctic island.
Trump himself has stated he would not rule out using military force to acquire Greenland, considering it essential for American security in the Arctic.
The Wall Street Journal previously reported that high-ranking officials under former US director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, had instructed intelligence agencies to gather information on Greenland’s independence movement and public sentiment regarding US resource extraction.
Nielsen has previously stated that US statements about Greenland have been disrespectful, emphasizing that Greenland “will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by just anyone”.
