Greenland rolls out emergency plan after Trump pushes for talks on control

Greenland’s government has released a new public preparedness brochure outlining steps residents should take in the event of a major “crisis”, as renewed remarks by Donald Trump on acquiring the Arctic territory draw international attention.

The brochure, unveiled on Wednesday (January 21, 2026), offers practical advice to ensure households can remain self-sufficient for at least five days during emergencies. Officials stress that this is a precautionary brochure, issued in response to murmurs of Trump wanting to relocate to Greenland and make it a territory under Denmark’s rule.

What the guidelines recommend

The document is titled “Prepared for Crises - Be Self-Sufficient for Five Days”, and advises residents to stockpile essentials such as food, drinking water, and household supplies. The guidance suggests storing three litres of water per person per day, along with non-perishable food, toilet paper, a battery-powered radio, and basic medical items.

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Given Greenland’s long reliance on traditional livelihoods, the brochure also references hunting weapons, ammunition, and fishing equipment as part of emergency preparedness. Nearly 90% of Greenland’s 57,000 residents are Indigenous Inuit, many of whom depend on hunting and fishing for subsistence.

'An insurance policy,’ says minister

Presenting the brochure in Nuuk, Self-Sufficiency Minister Peter Borg described the document as an “insurance policy.” He said, “We don't expect to have to use it”, but believes it is necessary to be prepared.

According to the Greenlandic government, work on the brochure began last year, prompted primarily by concerns over power outages of varying duration rather than immediate security threats.

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Trump seeks talks, rules out force

On Thursday (January 22, 2026), Trump again called for “immediate” talks on Greenland but said he would not use military force to take the island. Speaking a day earlier in Davos, he reiterated that position while emphasising Greenland’s strategic importance in countering Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said earlier this week that a military operation against the Danish autonomous territory was unlikely but added that preparedness remains essential.

Public sentiments in Greenland remain largely opposed to membership in the United States. In a poll conducted in January 2025, 85% of the population was opposed, while only 6% were in support.