Thousands Rally in Denmark Over U.S. Tariff Threats in ‘Hands off Greenland’ Protest

Several thousand demonstrators gathered in Denmark on 19 January 2026 for a large-scale protest billed as “Hands off Greenland,” voicing opposition to recent United States tariff threats and broader political pressure involving the Arctic territory. The rally, organized by civil society groups and supported by a range of political parties, unfolded amid heightened diplomatic tension between Copenhagen and Washington following public statements by former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Greenland.

Participants converged in city centers carrying signs that condemned potential economic penalties and called for respect for Greenland’s autonomy. Organizers said the turnout reflected growing unease among Danes who view the American stance as an encroachment on internal affairs. Local police did not immediately release an official crowd estimate, but eyewitness accounts and footage from national broadcasters showed densely packed streets extending for several blocks.

The demonstration took place less than 24 hours after Trump again linked his Greenland policy to what he described as unfair treatment over the Nobel Peace Prize, an assertion made during a televised appearance on 18 January. Earlier in the week, he had threatened to impose new tariffs on Danish goods if Copenhagen refused to engage on issues related to the island. Those remarks triggered swift pushback from multiple NATO allies and set off a series of urgent consultations within European institutions.

On the eve of the protest, NATO members issued coordinated statements rejecting any punitive trade measures tied to Greenland. Alliance officials characterized such steps as incompatible with the spirit of trans-Atlantic cooperation and warned they could undermine regional security interests in the North Atlantic. Separately, the European Union convened an emergency meeting on 18 January to assess the possible economic impact of U.S. action and to demonstrate solidarity with Denmark, an EU and NATO member.

Inside Denmark, political reaction was similarly strong. A number of lawmakers spoke on national television, describing Trump’s tariff threat as an unacceptable attempt at coercion. One member of parliament said the move risked damaging decades of close bilateral relations, while another emphasized that decisions regarding Greenland rest solely with authorities in Copenhagen and Nuuk, the island’s capital. Although the Danish government has not detailed specific retaliatory measures, ministers indicated they are preparing a range of diplomatic responses should Washington proceed.

Greenland, while geographically part of North America, is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and controls its own domestic affairs. Its strategic location, abundant natural resources, and growing importance in Arctic shipping lanes have drawn increased international attention in recent years. (For background on Greenland’s political status and geography, see the Encyclopaedia Britannica overview.)

Imagem: financial planning 11

Protesters on 19 January cited both economic and environmental concerns. Speakers at the main rally argued that tariff threats could disrupt Danish export industries and strain budgets earmarked for joint climate projects in the Arctic. Environmental organizations participating in the march contended that intensified geopolitical competition over Greenland could accelerate resource extraction in the fragile polar region, complicating efforts to combat climate change.

Beyond trade and environmental issues, the protest also touched on questions of national identity and historical ties. Demonstrators displayed Greenlandic and Danish flags side by side, underscoring a shared interest in safeguarding the island’s self-governing arrangements. Several community groups from Greenland’s sizable diaspora in Denmark joined the march, stating that external economic pressure risked undermining local decision-making.

As the crowd dispersed peacefully in the early evening, organizers called the event a “first step” in a broader campaign to draw international attention to the dispute. Danish officials are expected to brief parliament later this week on outcomes from the EU emergency session and on ongoing consultations with NATO partners. Meanwhile, U.S. authorities have not announced a formal timeline for any tariff implementation, leaving the immediate economic consequences uncertain. For now, the scale of Sunday’s protest highlights the depth of Danish public opposition to policies perceived as interfering with Greenland’s future.

Crédito da imagem: ABC News Live