In a rebuke to the U.S. administration, Danish MEP Anders Vistisen criticized recent legislative maneuvers aimed at facilitating the acquisition of Greenland, calling the move a dangerous and absurd overstep that risks undermining the historically strong relationship between Washington and Copenhagen. Vistisen, a member of the right-wing Danish People’s Party and chief whip of the Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament, voiced his concerns in an interview with POLITICO. He argued that the U.S. administration’s fixation on acquiring the mineral-rich Arctic island reflects a troubling lack of maturity and strategic foresight. “There is clearly a need for more adults in the room when the U.S. administration formulates foreign policy,” he said. “If these people can’t see how absurd they appear, they are out of touch with reality.”
Vistisen’s comments came in response to a legislative proposal introduced by Rep.ρευ Carter (R-Texas) that seeks to advance the notion of U.S. acquisition of Greenland. While the idea of the U.S. purchasing the island is not new—it has been floated several times throughout history—it gained significant attention in recent years due to former President Donald Trump’s open pursuit of the territory. Trump has repeatedly emphasized the strategic importance of Greenland to American security, particularly in light of its vast natural resources, including rare earth minerals critical to advanced technologies, and its geopolitical significance in the Arctic region. However, his administration’s refusal to rule out the use of economic coercion or military force to seize the island has alarmed both Danish and Greenlandic authorities, who view the suggestion as a blatant disregard for Greenland’s autonomy and Denmark’s sovereignty.
Lawmakers in Denmark and Greenland have been quick to push back against the U.S. overtures, asserting categorically that the island is not for sale. Greenland has been a Danish territory since 1953, and prior to that, it was a Danish colony. While the island has a degree of self-governance, Denmark retains control over its foreign and defense policies. The suggestion that the U.S. could simply purchase Greenland has been met with outrage and disbelief in Copenhagen and other European capitals. “Greenland is not for sale, and the only thing the U.S. achieves with this behavior is alienating one of its most loyal and reliable allies in Europe,” Vistisen declared. He warned that such actions would weaken the U.S. on the global stage, making it “weaker and more irrelevant to the world.”
The legislative proposal introduced by Rep.ρευ Carter is not the first attempt by U.S. lawmakers to advance the idea of acquiring Greenland. In recent months, several Republican legislators have co-sponsored bills aimed at empowering the U.S. to pursue the purchase of the island. One such bill, the so-called “Make Greenland Great Again Act,” seeks to authorize the president to enter into negotiations with Denmark for the acquisition of Greenland. However, such proposals are largely seen as symbolic gestures with little chance of success. In the U.S. legislative process, most bills must first be referred to a relevant committee, where they may be debated, amended, or simply ignored—a process known as “pigeonholing.” Many frivolous or politically charged bills never make it past this stage, and there is little indication that these measures will buck that trend.
Despite the long odds of success, the introduction of such bills has drawn significant attention and criticism from European allies. Vistisen and other Danish and Greenlandic lawmakers have been vocal in their opposition, emphasizing that Greenland’s future is not a matter for international negotiation but a decision that must be made by the Greenlandic people themselves. The Greenlandic government has also made its position clear, with officials repeatedly stating that the island is not for sale and that any discussions about its future must respect its autonomy and the principles of international law. The U.S. actions have been seen as a breach of trust and a sign of disrespect for Denmark’s sovereignty and Greenland’s self-determination.
The broader implications of this diplomatic spat cannot be overstated. The U.S.-Danish relationship has long been built on a foundation of mutual respect and cooperation, with Denmark being one of Washington’s most reliable allies in Europe. However, the relentless pursuit of Greenland has introduced a significant strain on this partnership. Danish lawmakers like Vistisen have warned that such behavior risks alienating a key ally at a time when international cooperation is more critical than ever. The U.S. would do well to reflect on the wisdom of its actions and consider the long-term consequences of undermining its relationships with its closest partners. As Vistisen succinctly put it, “The U.S. doesn’t grow stronger by losing such an ally—it only grows weaker and more irrelevant to the world.”
