Greenland’s long-running movement for independence from Denmark is witnessing a major shift after repeated attempts by U.S. President Donald Trump to gain control of the Arctic island. Many Greenlanders who once strongly supported breaking away from Denmark are now reconsidering their position because they fear American pressure and possible aggression.

One of the clearest examples of this change is Aqqaluk Lynge, a veteran Inuit activist, poet and co-founder of Greenland’s major pro-independence party Inuit Ataqatigiit. Decades ago, Lynge strongly opposed Danish rule and described Denmark as a colonial power that exploited Greenland. In one of his poems written in 1975, he declared: “They must be removed. We will no longer pay the price,” and added, “Suffering cannot be relieved by consolation. Oppression is something to fight against.”

Today, however, the 78-year-old believes Greenland should remain within the Kingdom of Denmark because he sees the United States as a greater threat. Speaking to Reuters from his home near Nuuk, he said, “We feel betrayed by the United States.” He added, “We are in a very difficult situation, where the only ones that can save us today are Denmark and Europe.”

Trump’s repeated comments about taking control of Greenland have deeply affected the island’s politics and public opinion. Greenland is a self-governing Danish territory with a population of around 56,000 people. For many years, parties that strongly supported independence dominated the political scene. However, after Greenland’s March 2025 election, a more Denmark-friendly government came to power.

The current government is led by the Demokraatit party, which supports a gradual path toward independence instead of immediate separation from Denmark. The party argues that Greenland should first focus on stability and economic growth. The election took place while Trump was openly repeating his demand for control over Greenland.

Greenland’s foreign minister, Mute Egede explained the new political thinking. “Our dream is to have self-determination, but right now we need to protect our future,” he told Reuters. He also warned, “If the U.S. takes us, the dream of self-determination will not exist anymore.”

Relations between Greenland and Denmark have historically been difficult because of colonial policies and past abuses. Denmark controlled Greenland for centuries and still manages its foreign policy and defence. Greenlanders remain angry over several controversial actions carried out during the 1960s and 1970s. One of the most criticised policies involved Danish authorities placing birth control devices in thousands of Inuit women and girls, often without their consent, in an attempt to reduce Greenland’s birth rate.

Denmark’s acting Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen acknowledged those past mistakes. She said, “Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland” and added that only Greenlanders should decide their future. Frederiksen also stated, “We must have the courage to face the wrongdoings of our shared past. That is the only way to maintain a close and respectful relationship between our two countries going forward. Greenland and Denmark are standing closely together.”

The White House said the U.S. was continuing discussions with Greenland and Denmark about national security concerns. A State Department statement added, “We are confident we can find a solution that protects U.S. national security, acknowledges Denmark and Greenland’s concerns, and dramatically improves future opportunities for the people of Greenland.”

Lynge’s political journey began during his student years in Denmark in the 1950s. A turning point came in 1968 after a U.S. bomber carrying nuclear weapons crashed in northern Greenland. Denmark had publicly denied allowing such flights because it officially followed a nuclear-free policy. Lynge believed Denmark had hidden the truth. A later report confirmed that Danish authorities had quietly allowed the flights during the Cold War.

After returning to Greenland in 1976, Lynge helped establish Inuit Ataqatigiit. Along with another major party, Siumut, the movement pushed for eventual independence while allowing Greenland time to build its economy and institutions. Greenland received home rule in 1979 and has gradually taken control over more domestic matters since then.

In the 2021 election, pro-independence parties together received nearly 80% of the vote. Demokraatit, which supported closer ties with Denmark, secured only about 9%.

The situation changed sharply after Trump returned to the White House in January 2025. He threatened tariffs against Denmark if Greenland was not handed over and refused to rule out military action. In a speech shortly before Greenland’s election, Trump declared, “I think we’re going to get it, one way or the other, we’re gonna get it.”

The comments created fear and uncertainty across Greenland. Demokraatit used those concerns to gain support and increased its vote share to 30%, becoming the largest party. Its leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, formed a coalition government with Inuit Ataqatigiit, Siumut and another smaller party.

After taking office, Nielsen travelled to Copenhagen to meet Frederiksen. During a joint press conference, he said, “We are in a foreign policy situation which means we have to move closer together.”

Many Greenlanders say Trump’s statements have changed how they view security and independence. Public anxiety has increased sharply. A recent study by Greenland’s public health institute found that mental distress among Greenlanders rose from 7% to 31% within a year. Researchers said Trump’s threats were “significantly affecting” people’s “mental health and well-being.”

Egede insisted that Greenland had not forgotten Denmark’s colonial history. “We haven’t forgotten it,” he said. “But in this situation we are right now in, we need to keep our right for self-determination, and this means that we need to cooperate very closely with all the Kingdom of Denmark.”

Pipaluk Lynge, daughter of Aqqaluk Lynge and chair of Greenland parliament’s foreign affairs and security committee, said global events had forced Greenlanders to rethink their future. “I think everyone knows, whether you’re a foreign minister or a local bus driver, that the world has changed,” she said. “When the world changes, your strategy and your thinking should change also.”

She explained that her father became concerned during Trump’s first presidency when he first proposed buying Greenland in 2019. At the time, many people dismissed the comments as unrealistic. But attitudes shifted after Trump returned to office and intensified his rhetoric.

Pipaluk said fears increased further after the U.S. military reportedly carried out an operation against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this year. According to her, the incident convinced many Greenlanders that Trump’s statements should be taken seriously.

Soon afterwards, Premier Nielsen openly backed Denmark more strongly than before. “We face a geopolitical crisis, and if we have to choose between the U.S. and Denmark here and now, then we choose Denmark,” he said. “We stand united in the Kingdom of Denmark.”

Trump later added to tensions after reports emerged that the White House was considering military options regarding Greenland. Denmark and NATO allies, including Britain and France, sent small troop contingents to the island. Danish broadcaster DR reported that Denmark also prepared emergency military supplies, including blood reserves and explosives for destroying runways if necessary. Denmark’s prime minister’s office declined to comment on the report.

Despite the changing political mood, support for full independence still exists. Naleraq, Greenland’s most strongly pro-independence party, increased its vote share from 12% to around 25% in the latest election. Party leader Pele Broberg criticised Greenland’s closer ties with Denmark and said, “Denmark is not a partner for us. It’s a hostage-taker.”

Broberg argued Greenland should use the current crisis to negotiate immediate independence. “Now we got the chance to actually do something and they all run screaming to the hostage-takers to say, ‘Protect us from the rest of the world’,” he said.

Anger against Denmark remains deeply rooted because of past injustices. Several scandals from earlier decades continue to shape Greenlandic identity and politics. These include forced birth control programmes, closure of Inuit settlements and the removal of Greenlandic children from families to place them with Danish foster parents.

In 2023, a United Nations report criticised Denmark for using culturally biased parenting tests that led to Greenlandic children being taken from their families. Denmark stopped using those tests in 2025.

Greenlandic activist Aka Hansen said many Danes still know very little about Greenlandic culture and history. She rejected Aqqaluk Lynge’s changing views and insisted that younger generations would continue the independence struggle.

Still, many Greenlanders now believe security concerns must come first. Siumut vice-chair Ineqi Kielsen said people remain frightened because of growing military activity on the island. “People are scared,” he said. “The Danish military trains on the roads here. They have their guns. It’s like we are in the warzone. So, I think people are – these days, these difficult days make people think: let’s wait.”

Lynge himself worries younger Greenlanders may still push too strongly for independence. Looking back at his earlier writings criticising Denmark, he admitted his views had changed over time. “I think it’s too much,” he said. “My feelings today are different.”

He now believes Greenland’s dream of becoming a completely independent state is unrealistic under current global conditions. “All the dreams about forming a state must stop,” Lynge said. “It’s very unfortunate that we live in this period of time,” he added, and “very difficult to understand that those dreams are just dreams and will never come true.”