CNN 5 Things One Thing: ‘We Do Not Want to Become Americans’: Greenlanders on Trump’s Threats
Jan 18, 2026
In this discussion, Nic Robertson, CNN's International Diplomatic Editor, sheds light on the controversies surrounding President Trump's ambitions for Greenland. He delves into the island's strategic importance and the historical context of U.S. attempts to acquire it. Greenlanders, fearing loss of identity and public services, vocalize their resistance to American control. Robertson also explores local life, cultural identity, and the implications of U.S. military interests in the Arctic, sparking a fascinating conversation on sovereignty and diplomacy.
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Greenland's Strategic But Autonomous Status
- Greenland is vast in land but tiny in population, and it's an autonomous territory of Denmark with its own government.
- Trump seeks control partly for perceived strategic and resource reasons despite existing US access under a 1951 treaty.
Security Rationale Versus Local Perception
- Trump frames Greenland primarily as a national security asset and cites Russian and Chinese activity nearby.
- Greenlanders and officials contest that narrative and point to existing US access and low perceived threat.
Local Business Ready But Worried
- Artisan Mia Chemnitz runs a successful local seal-skin mitten business and is ready to expand.
- She fears expansion under the uncertainty of possible US control and losing her cultural context.