Of course, you can't do that, there are criminal consequence: yes you can get arrested for that. Like in any country.
There are even worse: financial consequences (600M USD lost per year!).
But what if a richer buddy offers you protection and more money ?
In that specific agreement:
> "The agreement on independence shall be endorsed by a referendum in Greenland. The agreement shall furthermore be subject to the consent of the Folketing [Danish Parliament]."
It's "yes, you can leave, but you need our permission".
Today, Danish parliament is not really happy at the idea of giving away Greenland to anyone.
1) They want a new source of funding, ideally one they develop on their own (e.g. a mining and refining industry), to maintain their welfare state. It's a preference of theirs, not something imposed on them by the evil Danes.
Finding a new "buddy" to replace Denmark makes no sense. Why would they want to swap their dependence on a country which likes its welfare state (and is demonstrably good at administering it) for one which takes a notoriously dim view on such things?
2) Greenland becoming independent implies changing the borders of the kingdom of Denmark. That obviously requires a decision by parliament, no way around it.
Anyone interested in the facts can see the law in question here:
It would obviously not exist if Denmark was hellbent on denying Greenland its independence. All it does is lay out an orderly and straightforward process for the transition.
Factually, I agree with you on both points. Like from the rule of law perspective.
Statistically you are right, but in practice I would be cautious. I'm betting on the fact that a mad world is going to be even more mad (I couldn't imagine US threatening to invade Denmark... though I understand the US opportunity as well).
Of course, you can't do that, there are criminal consequence: yes you can get arrested for that. Like in any country.
There are even worse: financial consequences (600M USD lost per year!).
But what if a richer buddy offers you protection and more money ?
In that specific agreement:
> "The agreement on independence shall be endorsed by a referendum in Greenland. The agreement shall furthermore be subject to the consent of the Folketing [Danish Parliament]."
It's "yes, you can leave, but you need our permission".
Today, Danish parliament is not really happy at the idea of giving away Greenland to anyone.
https://www.euronews.com/2026/01/08/danish-soldiers-would-sh...
They won't shoot at the US, but they can repress protests if that gets too far.