First Foreign Leader to Visit Since U.S. Interest Sparked Tensions
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Greenland on Sunday, marking the first official visit by a foreign leader to the island since it became the focus of U.S. interest under the Trump administration.
The visit is part of a broader effort to reinforce European unity with the Danish territory, which has come under pressure from past U.S. attempts to acquire it for strategic purposes.
Upon arrival, Macron emphasized the importance of respecting territorial sovereignty, reportedly stating, “I don’t think that’s what allies do,” in reference to prior U.S. intentions. He underscored the need for Denmark and Europe to remain engaged with Greenland, highlighting the island’s growing strategic significance.
Officials from the Élysée Palace described the trip as a gesture of European solidarity and a reaffirmation of support for Greenland’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Though they avoided directly referencing previous U.S. efforts to buy the island, the timing and tone of the visit made its message clear.
Macron’s agenda in Greenland includes discussions on Arctic security, climate change, and sustainable economic development. During his stay, he is scheduled to visit a glacier, inspect a hydroelectric plant, and board a Danish naval vessel docked near Nuuk, Greenland’s capital.
Speaking earlier this month at a UN ocean conference in Nice, Macron declared, “The deeps are not for sale, any more than Greenland is for sale, any more than Antarctica or the high seas are for sale,” reinforcing his position on protecting shared global resources.
