Greenland lawmaker urges planning for worst-case scenarios as Trump ups rhetoric
Greenland lawmaker says preparedness must focus on resilience, civilian measures; says Arctic partners like Canada could play constructive role
As U.S. rhetoric around acquiring Greenland has continued to escalate despite months of diplomatic messaging from Nuuk and Copenhagen, a Greenlandic member of Denmark’s parliament is warning that diplomacy alone is no longer sufficient and is calling for Greenland and Denmark to step up preparedness planning in the Arctic.
Aaja Chemnitz, from the Greenlandic pro-independence party Inuit Ataqatigiit, said any response must be rooted in Greenland’s sovereignty and focused on strengthening resilience.
“It is essential to be clear that we will not accept any actions or statements that undermine Greenland’s right to self-determination,” Chemnitz said in emailed comment to Eye on the Arctic.
“Considering the current situation, it is necessary to plan for worst-case scenarios, strengthen our preparedness and enhance Greenland’s resilience in close cooperation with our partners.”
Chemnitz said the measures she proposes aim to reinforce stability and resilience, not provoke further escalation.
“We will strengthen our preparedness through civilian-focused measures,” she said, pointing to contingency planning, stronger civil preparedness, protection of critical infrastructure and closer coordination with partners.
Canada’s role as Arctic partner
Asked whether Canada could play a constructive role going forward, Chemnitz pointed to the importance of support from partners who share common legal and political principles.
“This is fundamentally a matter of international law and of standing up for what is right,” she said. “Greenland and Canada are neighbouring Arctic states, and there are close family and cultural ties between Greenland and Nunavut, she said.
“Therefore, Canada can play a constructive role in this matter.”
Challenging Trump’s security narrative
Trump upped the rhetoric on Greenland this week saying the Arctic island was “needed” for national security reasons and that it was “covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.”
In comments to Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq this week, Chemnitz pushed back against that portrayal of the security situation, saying that while foreign vessels do periodically operate in the region, their presence is being exaggerated to serve political objectives.
“To exaggerate it in order to promote one’s own interests is manipulation and a misrepresentation of the situation in Greenland,” she told Sermitsiaq.
“People have spoken more and more clearly, but it is clear that this is an American president who is not listening.”
As part of a broader preparedness approach, Chemnitz suggested in the interview that existing military activities could be expanded, pointing to Arctic Light — a previous exercise involving European and Nordic forces — as one option that could be considered.
Delayed Canadian consulate opening in Nuuk now scheduled for February
On Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking in Paris during a conference with European leaders focused on Ukraine, reiterated Canada’s support for Greenland and Denmark’s right to determine their own future — a position echoed by several European Union leaders.
Carney also announced Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Canada’s Governor General, Mary Simon, will travel to Greenland in February to open a consulate. It had previously been scheduled for November 2025 but was cancelled at the time because of weather.
European governments, including France and Germany, are also discussing how to respond should the United States act on its interest in Greenland, amid concerns about the implications for NATO. France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the issue would be raised later Wednesday at a meeting with his German and Polish counterparts.
This story has been updated to include comments provided by Aaja Chemnitz and additional developments on Wednesday.
Comments, tips or story ideas? Contact Eilís at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Carney meets with Danish PM as U.S. ramps up talk of taking over Greenland, The Canadian Press
Denmark: European leaders push back on Trump’s comments about a US takeover of Greenland, The Associated Press
Finland: Only Greenland and Denmark can decide on their own future says Finnish President, Yle News
Greenland: Greenland says ‘no more fantasies about annexation’ after Trump remarks, Reuters
Iceland: NATO chief to Arctic Allies: “We’re all frontline states now,” as Iceland’s role grows, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: “We want to be Europe’s most integrated region in terms of defence”, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russian navy chief accuses NATO of stepping up spying activities in the Arctic, TASS reports, Reuters
Sweden: Sweden critical of Trump’s latest push for Greenland, Radio Sweden
United States: Washington’s new envoy to Denmark pledges more US support for Greenland, Reuters
