Greenland’s government has issued crisis preparedness guidelines urging citizens to stockpile food, water and emergency gear amid heightened geopolitical tensions triggered by US President Donald Trump’s renewed push for influence over the Arctic island even as he drops tariff threats.

Greenland’s government unveiled a public advisory on 21 January urging its roughly 57,000 residents to prepare basic supplies for five days in case of a “crisis.”

The brochure, titled “Prepared for Crises Be Self-Sufficient for Five Days,” recommends households store essentials including food, three litres of water per person per day, toilet paper, a battery-powered radio, fishing gear and controversially, hunting weapons and ammunition.

Self-Sufficiency Minister Peter Borg framed the guidance as a precautionary “insurance policy,” emphasising that authorities “don’t expect to have to use it.”

Borg said the handbook was developed after assessments of various potential disruptions, and insisted the inclusion of firearms was practical given Greenland’s hunting traditions, not a suggestion of imminent conflict.

Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also addressed the growing unease, telling reporters that while a military confrontation over Greenland remains “unlikely,” it “cannot be ruled out.”

The advisory, he added, is meant to bolster public confidence and resilience rather than stoke fear.

From Rhetoric to Realpolitik

The advisory comes amid a spike in geopolitical tensions anchored to public statements by US President Donald Trump, who has for months signalled keen interest in acquiring Greenland an autonomous territory of Denmark with strategic Arctic access and vast natural resources.

In a dramatic escalation earlier this month, Trump threatened to impose steep tariffs of up to 25 per cent on eight European allies including Denmark, France, Germany and the UK unless Denmark agreed to negotiate over Greenland’s future.

European leaders condemned the threat as coercive and harmful to transatlantic cooperation, while protests erupted in Copenhagen and Nuuk.

However, at the World Economic Forum in Davos on 21 January, Trump announced a tactical pivot following talks with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and suggested the two sides had reached a “framework of a future deal” concerning Greenland and the broader Arctic region.

Trump claimed that, based on this understanding, he would not proceed with the tariffs scheduled to begin on 1 February a concession that eased immediate tensions and steadied global markets.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said the nascent framework could be beneficial for the US and NATO allies alike, and indicated ongoing discussions about what he called the “Golden Dome,” a term he linked to potential Arctic defence or infrastructure collaboration without providing specific details.

Despite Trump’s announcement, Denmark reiterated Greenland is not for sale, with Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen welcoming the tariff withdrawal but stressing that Danish sovereignty over the territory is a “red line.”

NATO’s Rutte later clarified that discussions in Davos did not include Greenland’s political status or transfer of sovereignty, and that the focus was on cooperation, not territorial exchange.

International Responses

European reactions to the dispute have been swift and united against undue pressure over Greenland’s future. The EU began working on a comprehensive Arctic security package, emphasising collaboration and shared defence, and criticised US tariff threats as detrimental to the longstanding transatlantic partnership.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that Greenland’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are “non-negotiable,” and Brussels is exploring increased investment and defence capabilities in the region.

Meanwhile, NATO allies have started reinforcing their own military presence in Greenland as part of broader Arctic security initiatives.

Denmark announced plans for a more permanent NATO troop rotation on the island, involving forces from Germany, France, the UK and Nordic partners, signalling collective resolve to protect Arctic stability amid rising Russian and Chinese activities.

Indigenous Greenlandic leaders have also voiced opposition to any negotiations carried out without local participation. A Greenlandic member of the Danish Parliament said that NATO has no mandate to negotiate Greenland’s future without direct involvement from its people, underscoring the widely shared local sentiment: “Nothing about us, without us.”

This reflects longstanding concerns about autonomy and cultural sovereignty in the face of external geopolitical competition.

Historical and Strategic Context

Greenland occupies a critical place in global geopolitics due to its location in the Arctic a region experiencing accelerated climate change, melting ice and opening maritime routes.

It is rich in untapped natural resources, including rare earth minerals, and also hosts key military and aerospace infrastructure such as the U.S.-operated Pituffik Space Base. These strategic advantages have attracted interest from major powers, including the US, Russia and China.

Historically, Greenland has been part of the Kingdom of Denmark since the early 18th century, gaining internal self-rule in 1979 and expanded autonomy in 2009.

Denmark continues to handle Greenland’s defence and foreign affairs, but the island’s leadership has steadily pushed for greater self-determination and economic self-reliance, particularly amid global climate shifts.

The recent episode marks one of the most pronounced frictions in NATO’s recent history, as it tested the alliance’s cohesion by pitting core members against one another over issues of sovereignty, trade and strategic influence.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

The unfolding Greenland episode serves as a stark reminder of how global leadership rhetoric even if not translated into military action can instil profound uncertainty among ordinary people.

Encouraging citizens to stockpile food, water and gear reflects legitimate caution in uncertain times, but it also illustrates how quickly geopolitical squabbles can filter down to everyday life and community psychology.

At The Logical Indian, we advocate for diplomacy rooted in respect for international law, local autonomy and peaceful cooperation.

Global challenges from Arctic security to climate change demand collaboration, not coercion; dialogue, not ultimatums. The voices of Greenlanders themselves must be central to any conversation that affects their land and future.