Canada and France open consulates in Greenland amid Trump threats

Canada and France are opening consulates in Nuuk this week, with Governor-General Mary Simon attending the Canadian ceremony; NATO and several European countries are also signaling support for Greenland after public U.S. threats.

Canada and France are opening diplomatic consulates in Nuuk, Greenland, this week. Governor-General Mary Simon will open the Canadian consulate on Friday and a Canadian Coast Guard ship, the Jean Goodwill, will be present. French officials are expected to open a consulate on Thursday. These moves follow public U.S. interest in Greenland that has prompted debate over the island's future. Key developments: - Canada will open a consulate in Nuuk on Friday; Governor-General Mary Simon will attend and the Canadian Coast Guard ship Jean Goodwill will be on hand. - French officials are expected to open a consulate in Nuuk on Thursday as a signal of support for Greenland and Denmark. - Canada first pledged a consulate in late 2024 as part of an Arctic foreign policy review; the plan gained added prominence after the U.S. President's threats regarding Greenland. - Before these moves, only Iceland and the United States had diplomatic consulates in Nuuk, while several countries maintained honorary consuls. - NATO has begun preparations for a mission called Arctic Sentry, and European and NATO countries have increased attention to Arctic security. Summary: Officials describe the consulate openings as diplomatic signals of support for Greenland and Denmark amid recent U.S. attention. Greenland's parliament held a special session and passed a motion committing to defend the island's right to self-determination. NATO preparations and additional diplomatic activity are underway. Undetermined at this time.