Denmark's foreign minister has indicated a 'fundamental disagreement' with the US regarding Greenland following discussions at the White House.
Lars Lokke Rasmussen characterized the meeting with Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as 'frank but constructive.' However, he condemned President Trump’s insistence on the idea of 'conquering' Greenland, calling it 'totally unacceptable.'
Rasmussen stated, 'We made it very, very clear that this is not in the interest of [Denmark].'
After the meeting, Trump reaffirmed his desire to acquire the resource-rich island, a stance that has alarmed allies throughout Europe and escalated tensions within NATO.
The hour-long conference involving US, Danish, and Greenlandic officials did not yield substantial progress. Nonetheless, a consensus was reached to form a high-level working group to deliberate on the future of the self-governing Danish territory.
Rasmussen specified that there were 'red lines' that the US must adhere to, and indicated that the working group would convene in the ensuing weeks to seek consensus. He also noted that both Denmark and Greenland are open to the prospect of allowing the US to establish additional military bases in the region.
Despite its sparse population, Greenland’s strategic location between North America and the Arctic positions it advantageously for missile defense and vessel monitoring, making it integral to US national security plans.
After the talks, Denmark expressed its intention to bolster its military presence on the island. Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt emphasized the territory's openness to greater cooperation with the US while firmly opposing any takeover, stating, 'We have shown where our limits are.'
As tensions persist in Washington, European allies swiftly communicated their support for Greenland. For instance, Sweden pledged armed assistance to Greenland at Denmark’s request, and France is set to establish a consulate on the island next month. Germany announced a reconnaissance mission to assess potential military contributions to assist Denmark in maintaining regional security.
Denmark’s commitment to military expansion in Greenland will prioritize collaborations with its allies, underscoring the geopolitical concerns that are increasingly influencing Arctic dynamics.
The White House dialogues were part of ongoing diplomatic efforts surrounding Trump's ambition, which includes discussions of possibly purchasing Greenland, although no official offers have been made as Denmark and Greenland have expressed they are not for sale.
This meeting follows a series of controversial comments made by Trump concerning Greenland, with past discussions indicating potential military interventions should confrontation arise from rival nations, such as Russia or China.
While the public opinion in both Greenland and the US indicates a considerable resistance to the idea of US control over Greenland, ongoing political discussions suggest the matter is far from resolved. Recent polling indicates that only 17% of Americans support the US seizing control of the island.
Trump’s focus on Greenland coincides with escalating tensions in international relations, particularly involving military strategies related to several global conflict zones.
