– We cannot be driven by fear of how some statements here from Greenland are perceived in the United States. It is clear that we are an American allied partner, and we stand by the Western alliance, says Naalakkersuisoq for Industry and Raw Materials, who would rather talk about opportunities in the EU than cooperation with China.

In an interview with the British media Financial Times, Naalakkersuisoq’s Minister for Industry and Raw Materials, Naaja H. Nathanielsen (IA), says that Greenland wants to develop and diversify the business sector and this requires investment from outside.

In an interview with the British media Financial Times

And when asked if such investments could come from China, she replies that Greenland would like to enter into partnerships with European and American partners. “But if they don’t come forward, then I think we have to look elsewhere.” 

In an interview with the British media Financial Times, Naalakkersuisoq’s Minister for Industry and Raw Materials, Naaja H. Nathanielsen (IA), says that Greenland wants to develop and diversify the business sector and this requires investment from outside.

In an interview with the British media Financial TimesAnnouncement

And when asked if such investments could come from China, she replies that Greenland would like to enter into partnerships with European and American partners. “But if they don’t come forward, then I think we have to look elsewhere.” 

China is a red flag for the US 

This comment was subsequently picked up by several Danish media outlets, and according to Sermitsiaq, caused some sources in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to express concern about whether Greenland is now increasing cooperation with China, which will probably provoke the American president further. 

Recently, a researcher at the Danish Defense Academy, Camilla Tenna Nørup Sørensen, told Sermitsiaq that Greenland should be careful not to involve China in its arguments against the United States. “Because if there is anything that can mobilize and unite Americans, it is the fear that China will gain a greater presence and influence in the Arctic and generally in the United States’ immediate vicinity.”

In other words, China is a red flag for the United States, and therefore, according to the expert, it is unwise to say that one would like to strengthen trade relations with China at a time when the United States is focusing its attention on Greenland. 

Many interests at stake 

Regarding these statements, Naaja H. Nathanielsen tells Sermitsiaq that there are obviously many interests at stake, and that everyone has an opinion on what Greenland should think and do, “but few take as their starting point what Nuuk thinks and what Greenland needs.” 

– It is important for me to say that we are very happy with the exports we have to China. Those exports constitute a very large part of our economy. At the same time, I do not see any interest from the Chinese side in wanting to invest in Greenland.

 Ingen interesse fra Kina 

Naaja H. Nathanielsen points out that only two mineral companies with licenses in Greenland have Chinese co-owners; namely London Mining and Greenland Minerals (Energy Transition Minerals), both of which are currently pursuing legal cases against the self-government. 

– So I don’t see any large and strong representation of Chinese raw material interests in Greenland. And I don’t see it in the rest of the business community either. You have to remember that we are in the process of drafting an investment screening law, which is expected to be put to a hearing immediately after the summer holidays. The investment screening law will focus on individual investments in terms of whether they are appropriate or not under certain conditions. In addition to the screening law, we have our foreign, security and defense policy strategy 2024-33, which already states that we would like to attract investments from like-minded countries, says Naaja H. Nathanielsen.

 Relationen til USA 

The strategy, presented in February 2024, expresses a great desire to increase cooperation with the United States, including in trade, transport, infrastructure, education, research, tourism, minerals, health, climate, and so on. 

Since then, relations with the United States have cooled in line with statements from US President Donald Trump that the United States should control and own Greenland. 

– The relationship with the US is difficult right now due to the rhetoric about wanting to control and own Greenland. This creates a sense of discord in our mutual relationship. But we still hope that like-minded partners in addition to the EU and Denmark also include the US, and that they will invest and cooperate with us, says Naaja H. Nathanielsen, who also points out that China is neither interested in nor can be considered for investments in Greenland’s critical infrastructure. 

Relationship with the EU 

– We must own critical infrastructure ourselves. So China or others will not build and own airports, ports and roads here in Greenland. And in relation to fishing and tourism, I do not see a future Chinese presence here either, partly because of the current legislation. And that is why I am perhaps a little flirtatious that everyone is so preoccupied with what Greenland is doing in relation to China, while the rest of the world is happily trading with China. Here we are back to the many interests at stake, says Naaja H. Nathanielsen, who would rather spend her time chasing the opportunities that exist in the EU in relation to investments in the raw materials sector. 

– We cannot be driven by fear of how some statements here from Greenland are perceived in the United States. It is clear that we are an American allied partner, and we stand by the Western alliance, and that has been our main message in recent months. And everyone should remember, including the world’s media, that when we talk about other countries and regions outside of Denmark, the United States or the EU, China is not the only country being referred to. The world consists of other countries and regions with which we can develop relations. The EU is of course an obvious partner in many areas, and I also hope that the United States recognizes that they can achieve much of what they want in Greenland without the use of threats and force.

In an interview with the British media Financial Times, Naalakkersuisoq’s Minister for Industry and Raw Materials, Naaja H. Nathanielsen (IA), says that Greenland wants to develop and diversify the business sector and this requires investment from outside.

In an interview with the British media Financial Times

And when asked if such investments could come from China, she replies that Greenland would like to enter into partnerships with European and American partners. “But if they don’t come forward, then I think we have to look elsewhere.” 

In an interview with the British media Financial Times, Naalakkersuisoq’s Minister for Industry and Raw Materials, Naaja H. Nathanielsen (IA), says that Greenland wants to develop and diversify the business sector and this requires investment from outside.

In an interview with the British media Financial TimesAnnouncement

And when asked if such investments could come from China, she replies that Greenland would like to enter into partnerships with European and American partners. “But if they don’t come forward, then I think we have to look elsewhere.” 

China is a red flag for the US 

This comment was subsequently picked up by several Danish media outlets, and according to Sermitsiaq, caused some sources in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to express concern about whether Greenland is now increasing cooperation with China, which will probably provoke the American president further. 

Recently, a researcher at the Danish Defense Academy, Camilla Tenna Nørup Sørensen, told Sermitsiaq that Greenland should be careful not to involve China in its arguments against the United States. “Because if there is anything that can mobilize and unite Americans, it is the fear that China will gain a greater presence and influence in the Arctic and generally in the United States’ immediate vicinity.”

In other words, China is a red flag for the United States, and therefore, according to the expert, it is unwise to say that one would like to strengthen trade relations with China at a time when the United States is focusing its attention on Greenland. 

Many interests at stake 

Regarding these statements, Naaja H. Nathanielsen tells Sermitsiaq that there are obviously many interests at stake, and that everyone has an opinion on what Greenland should think and do, “but few take as their starting point what Nuuk thinks and what Greenland needs.” 

– It is important for me to say that we are very happy with the exports we have to China. Those exports constitute a very large part of our economy. At the same time, I do not see any interest from the Chinese side in wanting to invest in Greenland.

 Ingen interesse fra Kina 

Naaja H. Nathanielsen points out that only two mineral companies with licenses in Greenland have Chinese co-owners; namely London Mining and Greenland Minerals (Energy Transition Minerals), both of which are currently pursuing legal cases against the self-government. 

– So I don’t see any large and strong representation of Chinese raw material interests in Greenland. And I don’t see it in the rest of the business community either. You have to remember that we are in the process of drafting an investment screening law, which is expected to be put to a hearing immediately after the summer holidays. The investment screening law will focus on individual investments in terms of whether they are appropriate or not under certain conditions. In addition to the screening law, we have our foreign, security and defense policy strategy 2024-33, which already states that we would like to attract investments from like-minded countries, says Naaja H. Nathanielsen.

 Relationen til USA 

The strategy, presented in February 2024, expresses a great desire to increase cooperation with the United States, including in trade, transport, infrastructure, education, research, tourism, minerals, health, climate, and so on. 

Since then, relations with the United States have cooled in line with statements from US President Donald Trump that the United States should control and own Greenland. 

– The relationship with the US is difficult right now due to the rhetoric about wanting to control and own Greenland. This creates a sense of discord in our mutual relationship. But we still hope that like-minded partners in addition to the EU and Denmark also include the US, and that they will invest and cooperate with us, says Naaja H. Nathanielsen, who also points out that China is neither interested in nor can be considered for investments in Greenland’s critical infrastructure. 

Relationship with the EU 

– We must own critical infrastructure ourselves. So China or others will not build and own airports, ports and roads here in Greenland. And in relation to fishing and tourism, I do not see a future Chinese presence here either, partly because of the current legislation. And that is why I am perhaps a little flirtatious that everyone is so preoccupied with what Greenland is doing in relation to China, while the rest of the world is happily trading with China. Here we are back to the many interests at stake, says Naaja H. Nathanielsen, who would rather spend her time chasing the opportunities that exist in the EU in relation to investments in the raw materials sector. 

– We cannot be driven by fear of how some statements here from Greenland are perceived in the United States. It is clear that we are an American allied partner, and we stand by the Western alliance, and that has been our main message in recent months. And everyone should remember, including the world’s media, that when we talk about other countries and regions outside of Denmark, the United States or the EU, China is not the only country being referred to. The world consists of other countries and regions with which we can develop relations. The EU is of course an obvious partner in many areas, and I also hope that the United States recognizes that they can achieve much of what they want in Greenland without the use of threats and force.