On Friday, Canada and France inaugurated diplomatic consulates in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, highlighting support for NATO ally Denmark amidst growing U.S. efforts to gain influence over the semi-autonomous territory. The establishment of these consulates follows heightened interest in Greenland, particularly after former U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks regarding a potential acquisition and recent tariff threats against Denmark and several other European nations.
The Canadian consulate was officially opened by Foreign Minister Anita Anand, who emphasized that the ceremony represented a commitment to collaborate with the people of Greenland and Denmark on multiple fronts, including defense, security, climate change, economic resilience, and Arctic cooperation. The event saw the raising of Canada’s maple-leaf flag, accompanied by the singing of “O Canada” by a gathered crowd.
In a significant move, France has become the first European Union country to establish a consulate general in Greenland. Jean-Noël Poirier, who assumes the role of consul general, will focus on deepening existing cooperation with the local authorities in areas such as culture, science, and economics. Reports indicated that while Poirier arrived with the Canadian delegation on Friday, a physical consulate facility is yet to be established.
The French decision to open a consulate was influenced by President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Greenland in June. Meanwhile, Canada’s consulate opening had been announced for 2024, prior to Trump’s takeover comments, but faced delays due to inclement weather conditions. These developments come in the wake of Trump’s October announcement to impose new tariffs on Denmark and several European nations in retaliation for their opposition to his takeover proposals for Greenland. Following public backlash, Trump later withdrew his tariff threats, indicating that a framework for facilitating access to Greenland’s mineral resources was being discussed, although specifics remain unclear.
Last week, technical discussions commenced between the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland regarding an Arctic security deal. The foreign ministers of both Denmark and Greenland had previously agreed to establish a working group during a meeting with U.S. officials, which included Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, prior to the emergence of Trump’s tariff threats.
