European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Nuuk, Greenland, on Sunday, September 6, for a two-day visit aimed at boosting political ties and economic investment amid U.S. President Donald Trump's push to annex Greenland [1, 2, 3, 4]. Von der Leyen described the visit as "a demonstration of close friendship and partnership" with Greenland and Denmark, emphasizing the EU’s commitment to the region [1, 2, 3]. Greenland Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen also praised the visit, noting, "We want to build on our close friendship and good partnership with the EU" [1].
Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and is not an EU member [1, 2, 3, 4]. Both Greenland and Denmark have strongly rejected U.S. demands for American control, affirming their sovereignty amid Trump’s campaigns to acquire Greenland [1, 3, 4]. European officials stressed that Greenland falls under NATO’s territorial defense framework, with the U.S. holding rights to increase its military presence under long-standing treaties [1, 3].
Von der Leyen posted about her observations of climate change impacts during the visit, saying, "Greenland's stunning landscapes and natural beauty will stay with me for a long time. But so will the visible scars of climate change on the ice sheet. As the ice melts, a new reality is taking shape" [1]. Climate and environmental collaboration is expected to be a key focus of the EU's intensified engagement.
On Monday, September 7, von der Leyen is expected to announce new EU investment plans in Greenland targeting critical minerals, satellite communications, and renewable energy sectors [1, 2, 3, 4]. A new EU-Greenland partnership declaration is also set to be signed, including pledges for investments valued in the hundreds of millions of euros [2]. This marks a significant expansion of the EU's presence and influence in the Arctic region.
Von der Leyen summarized the close ties between Greenland, Denmark, and the EU simply: "We are family" [2]. The signing of the new partnership declaration on September 7 will solidify these commitments and support Greenland’s economic and strategic objectives while countering external pressures.
