STORY: The U.S. opening of a larger diplomatic hub in Greenland on Thursday (May 21) was met by demonstrators opposed to President Donald Trump's ambition for greater influence in the Arctic island, while local government ministers shied away from the event.

Moving from a wooden cabin on the outskirts of Nuuk to a much larger downtown office, the new United States consulate has become a focal point for Greenlanders unhappy with Trump's stated desire to control the island, a semi-autonomous part of Denmark.

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and a series of other politicians said that they had declined invitations to attend the opening of the new diplomatic mission.

Several hundred people demonstrated near the consulate, carrying the island's red and white flag and posters that said "USA, stop it", while chanting "no means no" and "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders".

The new venue has greater capacity and offers an outstanding space for U.S. diplomatic engagement in Greenland, a State Department spokesperson said.

The White House in January said Trump was considering how to acquire Greenland, including a potential use of the U.S. military, setting off alarm bells among NATO allies in Europe, although talks have since been moved to a diplomatic track.

Greenland's government said on Monday that progress had been made in the high-stakes talks over the future of the territory amid U.S. threats of annexation, adding that the giant island belongs to its people and will never be for sale.

Trump has described Greenland, an island of 57,000 people, as strategically vital for countering Russia and China in the Arctic.

The U.S. currently has one active military base there, down from around 17 facilities in 1945.

(Production: Tim Barsoe, Tom Little, Ilze Filks)

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Greenlanders demonstrate against Trump as US diplomats open new consulate

VIDEO SHOWS: PROTEST AGAINST NEW U.S. CONSULATE / PROTESTERS COMMENTING / EXTERIORS OF NEW U.S. CONSULATE

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: NUUK, GREENLAND (MAY 21, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF PROTEST MARCH

2. VARIOUS OF DEMONSTRATORS GATHERED

3. PROTEST ORGANISER AND MEMBER OF THE INUIT ATAQATIGIIT PARTY, AQQALUKKULUK FONTAIN, ADDRESSING CROWD

4. PEOPLE HOLDING SIGNS READING (Greenlandic): “USA Stop”

5. FONTAIN ADDRESSING CROWD, SAYING (English): We’re here to let you know that we don’t want to be American, we have democracy and in a democratic world 'no' means 'no'.” / CROWD CHANTING (English): “No means no”

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Danish) 50-YEAR-OLD SOCIAL WORKER WHO GREW UP IN NUUK AND NOW LIVES IN COPENHAGEN, ARON BANG-ISAKSEN, SAYING:

“Over the heads on the Greenlanders, I think it's very colonialist rhetoric about buying this place and putting up hotels, which (U.S. President Donald) Trump has shared memes about. I think there has been talk over people's heads and it's just a really unpleasant reminder of people as commodities or as a product, as something that can be bought and sold. It's very unpleasant to witness and I think this ruthless rhetoric, where military actions are not taken off the table, I also think is completely wild and ruthless towards the people who live here, towards the children, towards everyone who sees this as their country.”

7. SIGN READING (English): Greenland knows a 'MAGA' trojan horse when we hear and see one.”

8. FONTAIN ADDRESSING CROWD

9. DEMONSTRATORS HOLDINGS SIGNS

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Danish) 37-YEAR-OLD PROTEST ORGANISER AND MEMBER OF THE INUIT ATAQATIGIIT PARTY, AQQALUKKULUK FONTAIN, SAYING:

“But I have arranged it precisely because the new consulate opens today, and there will be coverage from the U.S.. So the purpose is to make the American people understand that Greenland is a democratic country and in a democratic country 'no' means 'no'.”

11. VARIOUS OF DEMONSTRATORS GATHERED

12. VARIOUS OF BUILDING HOUSING U.S. CONSULATE

13. PEOPLE ENTERING CONSULATE

14. LOGO SEEN ON WALL INSIDE CONSULATE

15. TOTE BAGS SEEN INSIDE CONSULATE