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Following discussions at the White House, Denmark’s Foreign Minister has stated that a “fundamental disagreement” persists with the United States regarding Greenland.
Lars Lokke Rasmussen characterized the meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday as “frank but constructive.” However, he conveyed that President Trump’s insistence on “conquering” Greenland remains “totally unacceptable” to Denmark.
“We made it very, very clear that this is not in the interest of [Denmark],” he asserted.
President Trump subsequently reiterated his interest in acquiring the resource-rich island, a stance that has generated concern among allies in Europe and heightened tensions within NATO.
The hour-long meeting among representatives from the US, Denmark, and Greenland did not yield a significant breakthrough. Nevertheless, all parties agreed to establish a high-level working group to address the future of the autonomous Danish territory.
Rasmussen indicated that there were “red lines” that the US could not transgress, and the working group would convene in the coming weeks to seek a compromise. He further noted that Denmark and Greenland were open to considering the possibility of the US establishing additional military bases on the island.
Despite its sparse population, Greenland’s strategic location between North America and the Arctic renders it well-suited for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks and for monitoring maritime activity in the region.
President Trump has consistently maintained that Greenland is vital to US national security.
The US currently maintains a permanent presence of over 100 military personnel at its Pituffik base in Greenland’s northwest, a facility operated by the US since World War II.
Under existing agreements with Denmark, the US possesses the authority to deploy as many troops as it deems necessary to Greenland.
Following the meeting, Denmark pledged to deploy armed forces to the island.
Vivian Motzfeldt, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greenland, affirmed the territory’s openness to enhanced cooperation with the US but also voiced opposition to a takeover.
“We have shown where our limits are,” Motzfeldt stated.
Neither Vance nor Rubio offered immediate comments after the meeting. President Trump told reporters in the Oval Office: “We need Greenland for national security.”
“The problem is there’s not a thing that Denmark can do about it if Russia or China wants to occupy Greenland, but there’s everything we can do,” he said, adding that he does not believe the US can rely on Denmark to defend the island.
As tensions rose in Washington, European allies swiftly demonstrated their support for Greenland.
Sweden pledged on Wednesday to send armed forces to Greenland at Denmark’s request. France’s foreign minister announced plans to open a consulate on the island next month.
Germany stated in a statement provided to the BBC that it would dispatch a “reconnaissance team” to Greenland to “explore the general conditions for possible military contributions to support Denmark in ensuring security in the region.”
Denmark affirmed that its military expansion in Greenland would occur “in close cooperation with allies.”
“Geopolitical tensions have spread to the arctic,” it stated.
The White House talks represent the latest round of diplomatic engagements concerning President Trump’s growing interest in acquiring control of Greenland.
It remains unclear whether the president is considering the use of military force to seize the island. He declined to rule it out when questioned on Wednesday.
Other options reportedly under consideration include purchasing the territory, although neither Danes nor Greenlanders have indicated it is for sale.
Since assuming office, Vice President Vance has criticized Denmark’s stewardship of Greenland. His visit shortly after taking office was intended to signal the administration’s interest in acquiring the territory.
President Trump has argued that control of the territory is critical for his planned missile defense system, Golden Dome.
“It is vital for the Golden Dome that we are building,” President Trump stated in a social media post early Wednesday. “NATO should be leading the way for us to get it.”
Public opinion polls indicate that a majority of Greenland residents oppose coming under US control.
Most Americans also oppose US control of Greenland. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Wednesday found that just 17% of Americans support the US seizing Greenland, compared to 47 percent who said they opposed Trump’s push to acquire the island.
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