A top Greenland official unleashed sharp criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday, accusing the longstanding ally of betrayal amid renewed threats to seize control of the strategic Arctic island. In an exclusive NDTV interview, Minister Naaja Nathanielsen voiced deep disappointment, saying her people feel stabbed in the back by a "great partner" they've supported for generations through U.S. investments and military cooperation.

Trump has ramped up calls for American ownership of Greenland, insisting it's essential for national security against rivals like Russia and China, who covet its rare earth minerals and melting-sea access routes. The president warned that Greenland's recent choice to deepen ties with Denmark – its overseeing kingdom – creates a "big problem," even hinting at forceful measures if diplomacy fails.

Nathanielsen emphasized Greenland's gratitude for past U.S. aid but drew a firm line: independence and self-rule aren't for sale. "We've welcomed American businesses, but control? No way," she stated, aligning with Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen's earlier rebuke of "annexation fantasies." Denmark, bolstering its Arctic defenses with more troops and NATO pledges, stands solidly behind Greenland. The row echoes a Danish MP's infamous 2025 retort to Trump – a blunt "f*** off" – underscoring Europe's unified front.

This clash spotlights the Arctic's rising value: vast mineral wealth fuels green tech, while new shipping lanes challenge global trade. As ice recedes, tensions simmer with China's mining bids and Russia's patrols adding fuel. For Greenland's 57,000 residents, the focus remains on sustainable growth and sovereignty, not superpower grabs. Talks between Washington, Copenhagen, and Nuuk continue, but Trump's unyielding tone risks alienating key partners at a critical time.