'People Are Scared': Greenland Minister Says Islanders Are 'Bewildered' By Trump's Threats

A minister in the Greenland government has said people on the Arctic island are “bewildered” and “scared” at Donald Trump’s threats to take it over.

Naaja Nathanielsen insisted “we don’t want to be Americans”, despite the US president’s repeated insistence that he will eventually control the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

Her comments, on BBC Newsnight, came as Trump is set to be grilled about his plans by global leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Asked by presenter Victoria Derbyshire how Greenlanders are reacting to Trump’s rhetoric, she said: “We are bewildered and have been so since New Year’s Eve, I would say.

“This is an entirely new situation where an ally is threatening to annex or even occupy us. People are scared and people are preparing themselves in the ways they can.”

The minister said some stores on Greenland have been running out of goods as people panic buy at the prospect of military action by America.

She added: “Leave the people of Greenland. We do not want to be Americans, and we have been quite clear about that.

“We do want collaboration and deep partnership and relationship, but I just must ask you, what value do you put on our culture and our right to decide what happens with us in the future?”

Trump’s threat to take over Greenland has led to the deepest schism between America and its transatlantic allies in decades.

The US president has threatened to impose tariffs on eight European countries, including the UK, over their opposition to his plans.

That has sparked a furious backlash and teed up potentially explosive clashes between Trump and other leaders at Davos on Wednesday.