Hello and welcome to our live coverage of today’s events.
A series of demonstrations have been scheduled to take place across Denmark and Greenland today against Donald Trump and his plans to control Greenland.
The aim of Saturday’s protests, which are set to unfold as a US delegation of bipartisan lawmakers meet with Danish and Greenlandic officials in Copenhagen, “is to send a clear and unified message of respect for Greenland’s democracy and fundamental human rights”, Uagut, an organisation of Greenlanders in Denmark, posted on its website.
Jeff Landry, Trump’s special envoy to Greenland, said on Friday that a deal for Washington to take over the island “should and will be made” during this visit and that the president “is serious” about acquiring the largely autonomous territory, which is part of the Danish kingdom.
“In these times, it is important that we show a united front and cooperate broadly. We demand respect for Greenland’s right to self-determination and respect for the people of Greenland. This is not only a fight for Greenland, but also for the rest of the world, ” said Poul Johannesen of the citizens’ initiative, Hands Off Kalaallit Nunaat.
Trump on Friday threatened to impose tariffs against those who oppose his plans to annex the largely autonomous territory, which is part of the Danish kingdom. Earlier in the week, a number of Nato allies – France, Germany, the UK, Norway and Sweden among some – deployed troops to the Arctic island, with the Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, saying that Greenland’s defence is a “common concern” for the whole of Nato.
Stay tuned for updates.