The fog hung heavy over Nuuk as French President Emmanuel Macron stepped onto Greenland’s soil, a small crowd of locals braving the cold to glimpse him. On June 15, his visit—the first by a foreign head of state since U.S. President Donald Trump’s annexation threats—carried a message: “Greenland is not for sale.” Alongside Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Macron’s brief stop en route to the G7 summit in Canada was a bold rebuke to Trump, resonating with Greenlanders like Kaj Kleist. “It feels like the world sees us,” he said, watching from Nuuk’s harbor.

Macron’s agenda, aboard a Danish frigate, covered Arctic security, climate change, and critical minerals. “This is a wake-up call for Europe,” he said, condemning Trump’s claims on Greenland as “not what allies do.” Trump has called the island, rich in rare earths, vital for U.S. security, refusing to rule out force. Polls show 85% of Greenland’s 57,000 residents reject U.S. control, though many seek independence from Denmark. Nielsen, newly elected, welcomed Macron’s support, noting France’s stance since Trump’s first threats.

The visit highlighted Greenland’s strategic role. Its mineral wealth and Arctic location draw global interest, with the EU eyeing sustainable mining partnerships. Macron, after touring a melting glacier, stressed climate action, tying Greenland’s fate to global warming. Denmark, a NATO ally, has boosted Arctic defense with $2 billion and French missiles, spurred by U.S. pressure. But Trump’s team, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has hinted at annexation plans, alarming locals.

In Nuuk, reactions mixed hope and skepticism. “It’s big, but is it for us or Denmark?” asked opposition leader Pele Broberg. Locals like Nanna Frederiksen, waving Greenland’s flag, felt bolstered. “We need allies,” she said. Macron’s stop irked Trump, who left the G7 early, reportedly over the visit and other tensions. France’s offer of troops, declined by Denmark, underscored its commitment.

The EU’s push for Greenland’s minerals, like anorthosite for greener aluminum, raises economic and environmental questions. As Macron flew to Canada, he vowed to confront Trump at the G7. Can Europe shield Greenland’s sovereignty? Will locals shape their future? For now, Nuuk’s residents hold tight to their flag, hoping for a voice in the global storm.

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