France to Open Consulate in Greenland as ‘Political Signal’ Amid US Interest

PARIS: France will open a consulate in Greenland on February 6, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Wednesday, describing the move as a “political signal” linked to the strategic Danish territory that US President Donald Trump has said he wants to seize.

The remarks came as Denmark’s foreign minister was due to meet senior US officials at the White House for talks on the future of the vast, mineral-rich Arctic island.

Since returning to office nearly a year ago, Trump has repeatedly suggested taking over Greenland from longtime ally Denmark, a member of the European Union.

Speaking to French broadcaster RTL, Barrot said the decision to open the consulate was made last summer during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Greenland as a show of support.

“I went there at the end of August to plan the consulate, which will open on February 6,” Barrot said.

“It’s a political signal linked to a desire to be more present in Greenland, including in the scientific field,” he added.

Barrot said Greenland “does not want to be owned, governed, or integrated into the United States,” adding that the island had chosen Denmark, NATO, and the European Union.

Greenland’s leader has said the territory would choose to remain an autonomous part of Denmark rather than join the United States.

Trump has argued that the United States needs Greenland because of the risk of a takeover by Russia or China.

Both rival powers have increased activity in the Arctic as ice melts due to climate change, but neither claims Greenland, where the United States has long maintained a military base.