COLUMN: When Paris and Ottawa Plant Their Flags Where Trump Wanted to Plant His

Macron had paved the way in June

The opening of the French consulate was not an impromptu move. It had been announced on June 15, 2025, during a historic visit by President Emmanuel Macron to Nuuk. At the time, Macron had come to express “European solidarity” with Greenland, already criticizing Trump’s annexationist ambitions. The decision to establish a consulate general sent a strong signal: France would not stand idly by in the face of threats to the territorial integrity of a NATO ally. Jean-Noël Poirier, former ambassador to Vietnam and Libya, was appointed consul general. He stated that his priority would be to “listen to the Greenlanders, hear them out, and let them explain their position in depth” and to assure them of France’s support. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its “commitment to respecting the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.” With only nine French citizens residing in Greenland, this consulate is obviously not intended to serve a diaspora. It is a political act—a symbolic yet determined presence in a region where the future of the international order is at stake.

And here, I must admit, I feel a certain pride. Yes, pride. Because France, despite all its flaws, despite its contradictions, has stood its ground. It has said: “We are here. We will not leave. We support Greenland.” It is rare these days to see a country take a stand without immediate calculation, without direct economic interest. It is rare, and it is beautiful.

Mary Simon, a Symbol of Inuit Solidarity

From Canada’s perspective, the opening of the consulate carries even deeper significance. Canada had announced its intention to establish a diplomatic presence in Nuuk as early as December 2024, well before Trump’s escalating rhetoric. The inauguration, originally scheduled for November 2025, had been postponed due to adverse weather conditions. But on Friday, everything was in place. Governor General Mary Simon, an Inuit native of Nunavik (northern Quebec), made the trip—a first since 1982 for a representative of the Canadian Crown. Her presence is significant. She embodies the cultural and ethnic ties between Canadian and Greenlandic Inuit, two peoples separated by a strait but united by a shared history. Simon recounted that as a child, she would listen to Greenlandic songs on her grandmother’s shortwave radio, and her grandmother would tell her: “These are our relatives who live in distant lands. We are all one people.” A delegation of 76 Canadian Inuit accompanied Simon and Anand to Nuuk, underscoring the importance of this outreach for Indigenous communities. Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, stated that Canadian Inuit feel a deep connection to the U.S. threats against Greenland, given their shared history of colonization.

This history moves me. Truly. Because it reminds us that behind the power plays, behind the geopolitical strategies, there are people. Peoples. Cultures. Bonds that transcend the borders drawn by colonizers. Mary Simon isn’t just a ceremonial figure—she is the voice of a people who refuse to be erased, to be forgotten, to be sold to the highest bidder.

When Melting Ice Stirs Up Appetites

Why all the fuss about Greenland? Because the Arctic is becoming the new battleground of the 21st century. Global warming is melting the sea ice at an alarming rate, opening up new shipping routes and making previously inaccessible resources available. Greenland possesses vast reserves of rare earth elements, which are essential for modern technologies (smartphones, batteries, wind turbines). It also has deposits of uranium, zinc, oil, and natural gas. Its geographic location makes it a strategic vantage point for monitoring Russian and Chinese activities in the region. Russia, in particular, has significantly strengthened its military presence in the Arctic in recent years, reopening former Soviet bases and developing new infrastructure. China, although not an Arctic nation, defines itself as a “quasi-Arctic power” and is investing heavily in the region, particularly in Greenland. Faced with these threats, the United States wants to secure its northern flank. But its approach—brutal, unilateral, and contemptuous—has backfired: it has pushed European allies and Canada to draw closer to Greenland to protect it.

And that’s when I tell myself: Trump has it all wrong. He’s completely off the mark. Because by trying to impose his will through force or threats, he has created a coalition against him. He has awakened a solidarity he thought was dormant. He has reminded Europeans and Canadians why they must stand together in the face of predators—whether American, Russian, or Chinese.

A People Who Refuse to Be Pawns

Amid this geopolitical turmoil are the Greenlanders themselves: 56,000 people, mostly Inuit, living on the world’s largest island. Since 2009, Greenland has enjoyed broad autonomy within the Kingdom of Denmark, managing its internal affairs, education, and healthcare. Only defense and foreign affairs remain under Danish control. But many Greenlanders dream of full independence. The problem? Greenland’s economy still depends heavily on Danish subsidies (about 500 million euros per year). Without these funds, independence would be difficult to achieve. It was in this context that Trump thought he could make his move. He believed that by dangling billions of dollars, he could convince the Greenlanders to join the United States. But he underestimated their pride, their attachment to their land, and their determination to chart their own course. During protests in Nuuk, hundreds of Greenlanders held up signs proclaiming, “Greenland is not for sale!” Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, was clear: “We don’t want to be American. We want to be Greenlandic.”

And that is powerful. It’s so powerful that it gives me chills. Because in a world where everything seems to boil down to transactions, calculations, and interests, to see a people say, “No, we are not for sale”—that is a magnificent act of resistance. It’s a reminder that human dignity is not up for negotiation.

Copenhagen Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Denmark finds itself in a delicate position. On the one hand, it is a member of NATO and maintains close ties with the United States. On the other hand, it must defend Greenland’s territorial integrity in the face of U.S. pressure. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen met with Anita Anand and Vivian Motzfeldt (Greenland’s Foreign Minister) in Nuuk on Friday to discuss cooperation on Arctic security. Copenhagen also welcomed the opening of French and Canadian consulates, seeing them as a welcome show of support in the face of Trump’s ambitions. Denmark has made it clear that it will never cede Greenland, regardless of any U.S. offer. But it also knows that it cannot defend the territory alone against the major powers. Hence the importance of this European and Canadian solidarity. The tripartite U.S.-Denmark-Greenland working group, established in the wake of Trump’s threats, is intended to help find common ground on security issues. But for now, the discussions remain opaque and the outcomes uncertain.

I sincerely feel for Denmark. Because it is caught between its American ally—which is behaving like a thug—and its territory of Greenland, which it must protect at all costs. It’s an untenable position. But Copenhagen is holding its ground. And that deserves to be commended.

When the Atlantic Alliance Walks on Eggshells

NATO is playing an ambiguous role in this crisis. On the one hand, the Alliance is supposed to guarantee the collective security of its members, including Denmark. On the other hand, it cannot openly condemn the United States, its most powerful member and its main financial contributor. Secretary General Mark Rutte has attempted to act as a mediator by negotiating a “framework agreement” between Trump and Denmark. But this framework remains vague, and many see it as an attempt to defuse the situation without truly resolving the underlying issue. Some analysts believe that NATO should take a firmer stance in support of Denmark and Greenland. Others, however, fear that such a stance could weaken the Alliance at a time when it is facing the Russian threat in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. As a result, NATO remains silent—or nearly so. And this silence speaks volumes about the internal tensions within the Alliance.

This silence makes me uncomfortable. Because it reveals NATO’s limitations, its contradictions, and its weaknesses. How can an alliance claim to defend the sovereignty of its members if it cannot condemn threats made by one of its own members against another? It’s absurd. It’s hypocritical. And it shows that NATO, despite all its rhetoric, remains first and foremost an instrument serving American interests.

Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland are watching

Greenland is not the only Arctic territory attracting interest. Iceland, which opened a consulate in Nuuk as early as 2013, is closely monitoring developments. Norway, Sweden, and Finland—all NATO members or close partners—also have interests in the region. These Nordic countries share a common vision of the Arctic: a region of peaceful cooperation, where disputes are resolved through dialogue rather than force. They view Trump’s attempts to militarize the region or redraw its borders with suspicion. Several of them have expressed support for Denmark and Greenland, although this support is often low-key so as not to upset Washington. Russia, for its part, is watching with interest. Moscow has every reason to want to see NATO divided and weakened. If the United States continues to behave like an imperial power, it risks pushing some European allies to reconsider their relationship with Washington. And that is exactly what Putin hopes for.

We’re walking a tightrope—one stretched over a precipice. Because if the West splits apart, if NATO implodes, if Europeans and Americans turn against each other—then Russia and China will have won without firing a single shot. And that is terrifying.

Ottawa Confronts Its Own Arctic Demons

For Canada, opening a consulate in Nuuk is not just a gesture of solidarity with Greenland. It is also a way to defend its own interests in the Arctic. Canada has the world’s longest Arctic coastline, but its surveillance and defense capabilities in the region remain limited. Trump has, in fact, privately criticized Ottawa, accusing it of not doing enough to protect the Canadian Arctic from Russian and Chinese threats. Prime Minister Mark Carney has promised to strengthen Canada’s military presence in the North and to invest more than a billion dollars in Arctic infrastructure. But these promises have yet to materialize. Canadian Inuit, who make up a significant portion of the Arctic population, have been calling for years for more investment in their communities. They want roads, electricity, schools, and hospitals. Not just military bases. Natan Obed stated that Canadian Inuit fear Trump might return to his threats to annex Canada—or at least its Arctic territories. This fear is not unfounded: Trump has already floated the idea of making Canada the “51st state” of the United States.

And that makes me wonder: How far will Trump go? How far will this imperial madness go? Because if the United States starts annexing its neighbors, if international law no longer matters, if might takes precedence over right—then we’re back in the 19th century. And that, I refuse to accept.

When Two Flags Are Worth a Thousand Speeches

Friday, February 6, 2026, will remain an important date in the history of the Arctic. On that day, France and Canada said “No” to American imperialism. They said “Yes” to solidarity, sovereignty, and the dignity of peoples. They planted their flags in Nuuk, not to conquer, but to protect. Not to dominate, but to support. It is a rare, precious, and necessary gesture. But it is only the beginning. Because the threats facing Greenland—and the Arctic in general—will not disappear overnight. Trump may back down temporarily, but his ambitions remain intact. Russia and China continue to strengthen their presence in the region. Global warming is accelerating the melting of the ice and exacerbating tensions. Faced with these challenges, Europe and Canada must remain united, vigilant, and determined. They must continue to support Greenland, respect its sovereignty, and listen to its voice. They must show that international law is not an option, but an obligation. That peoples are not commodities. That the Arctic is not a playground for great powers. On Friday, two flags were raised in the cold of Nuuk. May they inspire other nations to do the same.

I want to believe that this gesture is not in vain. I want to believe that it will mark a turning point. Because if we let Trump—or any other leader—redraw borders on a whim, then we are abandoning everything our ancestors fought for. Freedom. Justice. Dignity. And that, I cannot accept. I will never accept it. So yes, I am proud of France and Canada. Proud of these two flags flying in Nuuk. Proud of this message sent to the whole world: “We are here. We will not leave. We will resist.”

Signed, Jacques Provost