Did US ‘give back’ Greenland to Denmark, as Trump claims?

In his January 21 speech, the US president claimed his country “gave Greenland back” to Denmark after the Second World War. The agreement explicitly stated that the US government “fully recognizes the sovereignty” of Denmark over Greenland. The note framed Denmark’s wartime cooperation as a voluntary contribution, again affirming Danish sovereignty over Greenland. Colonial entanglementsThese arrangements stabilized Danish sovereignty over Greenland and bolstered the island’s security. Self-government in 2009 further expanded Greenland’s political autonomy and recognized Greenlanders as a people under international law.