Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen joins the protest in Nuuk, Greenland, against US’ attempts to seize the Arctic island, on January 17, 2026 local time. Photo: IC

Protesters in Greenland demonstrated on Saturday local time against US President Donald Trump's demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the US, and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen was among what was described as the island's biggest protest, according to media reports. 

In Greenland's capital Nuuk, thousands led by Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen carried flags and similar banners as they headed for the US consulate, Reuters reported. 
By the consulate, Nielsen addressed the crowd, drawing loud cheers.

In Denmark’s capital Copenhagen, demonstrators chanted "Greenland is not for sale" and held up slogans such as "No means No" and "Hands off Greenland" alongside the territory's red-and-white flag as they marched to the US embassy, per Reuters. 

The US’ attempts to seize Greenland have drawn strong backlash in Denmark recently. President Trump has pledged a series of increasing tariffs on eight European allies – Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland – for their opposition to US’ control of Greenland, as he escalates his campaign to acquire the self-governing territory of Denmark, claiming that these countries would face the tariff, which would be raised to 25 percent on June 1 if a deal is not in place for "the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland" by the US, according to media reports. The gambit has drawn strong pushback from across Europe. 

Global Times