Canada and France formally opened diplomatic consulates in Greenland’s capital Nuuk on Friday, demonstrating support for Denmark following US President Donald Trump’s attempts to secure control of the semi-autonomous Arctic territory.
Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand travelled to Nuuk to inaugurate the consulate, accompanied by Indigenous Governor General Mary Simon. Canada had promised to open the consulate in 2024 – before Trump’s territorial claims – but the formal inauguration was delayed from November due to bad weather.
France’s foreign ministry announced that Jean-Noël Poirier would take up duties as consul general, making France the first EU country to establish a consulate general in Greenland. The decision was taken during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Greenland in June 2024.
Escalating US demands
The openings follow weeks of escalating rhetoric from Washington. Trump announced in January he would impose tariffs on Denmark and seven other European countries opposing his Greenland takeover calls, only to abruptly drop the threats after claiming a “framework” for a deal had been reached with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s help. Few details have emerged.
Technical talks began last week between the US, Denmark and Greenland to develop an Arctic security arrangement. The discussions follow a meeting between Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Allied support for Danish sovereignty
Anand met Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen on Thursday, stating that “as Arctic nations, Canada and the Kingdom of Denmark are working together to strengthen stability, security and cooperation across the region.”
France indicated Poirier would deepen cooperation with Greenland on cultural, scientific and economic matters while strengthening political ties with local authorities.
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Photo credit: Visit Greenland, Unsplash