Danish MEP Anders Vistisen has defended his blunt response to US President Donald Trump’s claims on Greenland, telling Brussels Signal Denmark had every right to be offended.
“We have been a reliable and trustworthy ally, and we think that should come with some respect,” he told Brussels Signal on March 5.
Vistisen made no apologies for having told Trump to “F**k off” during a speech in the European Parliament on January 20.
When asked if he regretted using the expletive against Trump, he said “No”.
That came after his EP speech where he declared: “Dear President Trump, listen very carefully: Greenland has been part of the Danish kingdom of 800 years; it is an integrated part of our country. It is not for sale. Let me put it in words you might understand. Mister Trump, F*** off,” he said.
Speaking to Brussels Signal on March 5, he also highlighted Denmark’s contributions to the US.
“Denmark has been an ally for 75 years. We bled in Afghanistan and Iraq to a higher number than the US did. We have been a reliable and trustworthy partner,” he said.
Vistisen said that his remarks had gained traction online and found support among European colleagues, although they sparked backlash from pro-Trump circles in the US.
“Overall, my impression from my colleagues in Europe was well, they understand that when you are a patriot for Europe, a patriot for Denmark, Danish interest comes first,” he said.
Amid rising geopolitical tensions, Vistisen stressed the need for “European patriots” to have independence from US dominance.
“Even though we share a lot of the same analysis as the MAGA [Make America Great Again] movement and Trump when it comes to migration and woke, I don’t think we necessarily have to become a mouthpiece of American politics in Europe,” he said
“If there is a trade war between the US and the EU, the patriotic thing is to defend our interest, defend Europe’s interest,” he added.
His comments came in response to Trump’s March 3 State of the Union address, where the President doubled down on acquiring Greenland “one way or another,” implying potential military and/or economic pressure
“I think we’re going to get it one way or the other. We’re going to get it,” Trump said.
Regarding Greenland, Vistisen acknowledged the growing independence sentiment on the island.
“There is a strive for independence. There are six parties in Greenland’s upcoming elections. Five of them are for independence,” he said.
He also recognised that the US had a significant advantage in Greenland and that it could invade the territory.
“This is the best time to push for independence from the pressure of the United States,” declared pro-independence Greenlandic MP Kuno Fencker. https://t.co/G7g63ugzm2
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) January 28, 2025
In his January speech, Vistisen had taken a firm stance against Trump’s claims over Greenland, asserting that the territory was not for sale and criticising the rhetoric surrounding its independence.
At the EP, he called for a united Europe that had to strengthen its position on the global stage, especially in the face of US power-shifts under Trump.
The US could take control of Greenland “tomorrow” by simple decree if it wanted, a Danish politician said on Sunday. https://t.co/Fw61h15NKl
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) January 26, 2025
