Donald Trump threatens to impose 10% customs duties on eight European countries, including France, as long as they oppose its annexation by the United States

With its 57,000 inhabitants spread over 2.2 million square kilometers, which represents the lowest population density in the world, the immense Arctic island is geographically closer to the American continent than to Europe.

Colonized by the Danes in the 18th century^e century, it is some 2,500 kilometers from the tutelary power, which still grants it a fifth of its annual GDP, in the form of subsidies. The other pillar of the local economy is fishing.

Autonomous since 1979, Greenland has its flag, its language and its institutions, but justice, monetary, foreign, defense and security policy still depend on Copenhagen. From 2009, a new status allows Greenland to have access to its natural resources. Copenhagen keeps control of the island’s army, currency and international relations.

Greenland was then granted autonomy and the possibility of declaring its independence through the holding of a referendum. The law that came into force at the time provides that the local parliament, Inatsisartut, can invoke a provision requesting independence negotiations between Denmark and Greenland – any agreement must then be put to a vote by the Danish parliament.

Chapter 8 of the Greenlandic Self-Government Act states that if the Greenlandic people decide to seek independence, negotiations must begin between Nuuk and Copenhagen to reach an agreement defining the terms of the divorce.

The question of the financial contribution, around 4.5 billion crowns (602 million euros) paid each year by Copenhagen to Greenland and which corresponds to more than a fifth of its GDP, is at the heart of the discussions.

The American appetite for ice territory is not new. Greenland belongs to the “area of ​​interest” American as defined by the Monroe Doctrine in 1823.

The majority of residents are currently in favor of independence, even if it raises fears in the face of Donald Trump’s territorial ambitions. Greenland repeats that it is not for sale and wants to decide its future alone. According to the latest poll on this subject, published in January 2025, 85% of Greenlanders are opposed to their attachment to the United States, and only 6% are in favor.

Unlike Denmark, Greenland is not part of the European Union, from which it withdrew in 1985, three decades before Brexit. On the other hand, the Greenlanders are indeed European citizens. Its 57,000 inhabitants – including more than 19,000 in the capital, Nuuk – are more than 90% Inuit.

The United States and Denmark are allies within NATO. “If they invade Greenland, they invade NATO”according to Elisabet Svane, chief political correspondent of the Danish newspaper The politicscited by the BBC. “That’s where it stops. Article 5 should be triggered. And if a NATO country invades NATO, there is no more NATO. » An annexation of Greenland would sign the death warrant of the Atlantic Alliance, warned the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen.