'That's enough' Greenland slams Trump's annexation rhetoric; EU backs Denmark

President Donald Trump's call for Greenland to become part of the US faced global flak Monday, with the autonomous Danish territory's prime minister saying: "That's enough now."

Washington's military intervention in Venezuela has reignited fears about Greenland, the mineral-rich Arctic territory that Trump has repeatedly said he wants to annex. "We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it," he told reporters aboard Air Force One Sunday.

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen took to social media to tell the US leader: "That's enough now. No more pressure. No more insinuations. No more fantasies of annexation."


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"We are open to dialogue," he said. "We are open to discussions. But this must happen through the proper channels and with respect for international law."

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also urged the US to stop threatening its traditional ally over the weekend, and on Monday several European countries and the European Union rushed to the support of Copenhagen.

The controversy drew a slew of supporting statements from around Europe, with EU foreign policy spokesperson Anitta Hipper telling reporters the bloc was committed to defending the territorial integrity of its members. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said "only Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark" could decide the territory's future - sentiments reflected in statements from the leaders of Finland, Sweden and Norway.

The latest flare-up came after a weekend of high tension sparked on Saturday by former Trump aide Katie Miller, who posted online an image of Greenland in the colours of the US flag with the caption "SOON".