Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has firmly dismissed US President Donald Trump’s assertion that America will take control of the Arctic island, stating that Greenland belongs to itself and will determine its own future.

Nielsen’s strong response, shared in a Facebook post on Sunday, comes as US Vice President JD Vance visits the American military base at Pituffik in northern Greenland. During his visit on Friday, Vance criticised Denmark for allegedly failing to ensure Greenland’s security and suggested that the US could manage the island’s defense more effectively.

Trump has previously claimed that acquiring Greenland is crucial for US national security. However, Nielsen reiterated that Greenland is a self-governing territory under Denmark and will not be subject to external control. His post emphasised Greenland’s sovereignty, stating that the country will not be owned by any foreign power and will shape its own path forward.

The Pituffik base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, plays a strategic role for the US in the Arctic. While American military presence in Greenland is not new, recent geopolitical tensions have heightened US interest in the region’s vast natural resources and strategic location.

Nielsen’s remarks reinforce Denmark’s stance that Greenland remains an autonomous part of its kingdom and will not be handed over to the United States, despite repeated assertions from the Trump administration. The issue has sparked diplomatic friction between Washington and Copenhagen, with Denmark reaffirming its commitment to Greenland’s self-governance and security.