Denmark will not give in to what it calls inappropriate pressure from the United States concerning Greenland, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Thursday. She emphasized that the rights of Greenland’s people to decide their own future are non-negotiable.

The U.S. has expressed interest in gaining influence over the resource-rich Arctic island, citing strategic and security concerns. President Donald Trump has even suggested that force could be considered to secure control of Greenland.

Speaking on Denmark’s National Day, Frederiksen warned, “The international order we’ve upheld for generations is under unprecedented strain.” She noted that both Denmark and Greenland have faced increasing pressure in recent months from their main ally.

In a visit to Greenland in March, U.S. Vice President JD Vance criticized Denmark’s handling of security on the island, suggesting that the U.S. would be more capable of defending it. His visit came after Greenland’s Demokraatit party, which advocates a gradual path to independence, secured an election win—marking a contrast to other parties pushing for faster separation.

Leaders in both Copenhagen and Nuuk have made clear that any decision about the island’s future lies solely with the Greenlandic people. The Danish constitution recognizes Greenland’s right to pursue independence.

Frederiksen underscored that core values like national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the right to self-determination are under threat. “But we won’t yield. That’s not the Danish way,” she declared.

Denmark’s monarch, King Frederik, who enjoys strong support in Greenland, visited the island in April as a gesture of solidarity during the ongoing diplomatic tension.

Under a 1951 defense agreement, the U.S. is permitted to establish military bases in Greenland with the consent of Denmark and Greenland. While the island is rich in minerals, oil, and gas, progress in tapping into these resources has been slow, and American investment in its mining industry remains limited.