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On Friday, Canada officially inaugurated its consulate in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, coinciding with the arrival of the first French consul to the Danish territory. This development follows in the wake of previous U.S. interest in purchasing the island during the Trump administration.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand shared her excitement about the consulate’s opening on social media platform X, emphasizing the importance of enhancing Canada’s influence and alliances in the Arctic region. “I am en route to Nuuk for the opening of Canada’s new consulate — strengthening Canada’s presence, partnerships, and leadership in the Arctic,” Anand posted, accompanying her message with a video capturing the ceremonial raising of the Canadian flag in Nuuk.
Anand was accompanied by Mary Simon, the Governor General of Canada, highlighting the significance of this diplomatic endeavor.
Although Canada had initially planned to open the consulate in 2024, unforeseen weather conditions delayed its launch to 2025.
Following the official opening ceremony, members of the Canadian community in Greenland gathered to celebrate the consulate’s establishment, marking a new chapter in the country’s Arctic engagement. (Photo by Florent Vergnes/AFP via Getty Images)
“The future of the Arctic belongs to the people of the Arctic. Tomorrow I will visit Denmark and then on to Greenland,” Simon said in a speech earlier this week. “Let me be clear, Canada stands firmly in support of the people of Greenland who will determine their own future.”
Jean-Noël Poirier also arrived in Nuuk to become the first French Consul General of Greenland on Friday, the French government said in a release.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the Nuuk consulate in June, making it the first European Union country to set up a consulate in Greenland.
The physical French consulate doesn’t exist yet.Â
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, right, speaks to the media following the flag raising at the new Canadian consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, on Friday. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press via AP)
“Deep ties of friendship and key joint projects already link France, Denmark and Greenland, allowing all parties to look forward enthusiastically and confidently to the opening of this new consulate general,” the French government said.
It added, “France reiterates its commitment to respect for the Kingdom of Denmark’s territorial integrity.”
President Donald Trump has been insistent on acquiring Greenland, with administration officials claiming Denmark is unable to defend the semi-autonomous island.
“Greenland is one-fourth the size of the United States,” top White House aide Stephen Miller told Fox News last month. “With respect to Denmark, Denmark is a tiny country with a tiny economy and a tiny military. They cannot defend Greenland, they cannot control the territory of Greenland.”
Demonstrators in Greenland march in protest against the Trump administration’s effort to acquire the island in January. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
In January, Trump threatened to impose 10% tariffs that would increase to 25% in June on eight European countries, including France and Denmark, unless they allowed the U.S. to acquire Greenland.
The president dropped the tariff threat following a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in which Trump said a “framework” for a deal for security in the Arctic had been reached.
The U.S. reopened its consulate in Greenland in 2020 after closing it in 1953.Â