Credited from: NYTIMES
French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Greenland on June 15, 2025, as part of a significant diplomatic effort to reinforce European unity in light of U.S. President Donald Trump's overtures to acquire the Arctic territory. This visit follows Trump's expressed intentions to control Greenland, which he described as vital for international safety and security, stating, "We need it. We have to have it," in March. Macron is expected to discuss several critical issues including Arctic security, climate change, and energy transition during meetings with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, according to Al Jazeera, Reuters, and Anadolu Agency.
The visit comes amid rising tensions due to U.S. claims about Greenland, which has been under Danish rule and was granted home rule in 1979. The Danish government and Greenland’s local leadership have firmly rejected the notion of selling the territory, with recent polls indicating that about 85% of Greenlanders oppose any such arrangement with the U.S. Frederiksen noted the importance of demonstrating solidarity with Greenland during this challenging foreign policy phase, emphasizing that Greenland "is not and will never be for sale," as echoed in statements by both LA Times and TRT Global.
The upcoming trip positions Macron as the first foreign head of state to visit Greenland in light of Trump's annexation discussions. Macron’s visit signals a strong commitment to European sovereignty, with discussions also planned regarding the security of critical minerals in the Arctic, which remains a focal point amidst growing international competition, as stated by The New York Times and India Times.