• France will open a consulate in Greenland on February 6, 2026.
• The move is a political response to US President Trump's threats regarding Greenland.
• Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized the desire to deepen France's presence in the region.
• Greenland's leadership has affirmed its preference for remaining an autonomous territory of Denmark.
• The consulate aims to support scientific endeavors and assist French businesses in Greenland.

France is set to officially inaugurate its consulate in Greenland on February 6, 2026, in a move characterized as a "political signal" amid escalating tensions with the United States over the territory's status. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot asserted that the decision aims to reflect the island's desire to remain tied to Denmark and the European Union, distancing itself from US ambitions to acquire the territory. He mentioned that this was part of a strategy established after President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Greenland last summer, emphasizing that “Greenland does not want to be owned, governed... or integrated into the United States” according to Le Monde and Al Jazeera.

The French consulate will be established rapidly in Nuuk, Greenland's capital. Barrot noted that this consulate would play a broader strategic role beyond typical consular services, aiming to bolster France's scientific and economic interests in the mineral-rich territory. Amid rising US threats articulated by President Trump—who described acquiring Greenland as an “absolute necessity” for national security—France’s diplomatic move reaffirms European support for Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland. Denmark, along with Greenlandic officials, has consistently rejected US proposals for the territory's sale as they reaffirm their commitment to NATO, as noted by AA and Le Monde.

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has publicly declared that the island prefers to remain part of Denmark, particularly in light of the perceived risks introduced by Trump's aggressive rhetoric. The geopolitical implications of the US's stance have prompted Denmark to enhance its military presence in the region as a countermeasure against any potential threats from rival powers, specifically Russia and China, as stated by Al Jazeera. Nielsen's recent statements underscore the island's commitment to its current political affiliations amidst rising international tensions.