Top diplomats from Denmark and Greenland arrived at the White House for urgent discussions centered on the future of Greenland, a strategically significant and sparsely populated Arctic island. This high-stakes meeting comes as US President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to acquire Greenland from its longtime ally, Denmark.
Ahead of the meeting, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen attempted to alleviate US concerns about security in Greenland, sharing that Denmark is increasing its military presence on the island and engaging in discussions with allies to bolster NATO’s footprint in the Arctic.
Trump, who has made headlines for his continued interest in Greenland, reaffirmed his position on the island’s potential acquisition, stating that he wanted Greenland “whether they like it or not.” His administration’s approach has raised questions about the nature of US-Denmark relations, particularly in light of comments made by the leader of Greenland, who asserted a preference for remaining an autonomous territory of Denmark. Trump dismissed those sentiments as “their problem.”
The meeting at the White House, which includes US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and a request from Vice President JD Vance to participate, aims to address existing miscommunications between the American and Danish sides. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen expressed hopes of clarifying these misunderstandings, but skepticism remains regarding whether the Trump administration shares that perspective.
The former real estate mogul has articulated that ownership of Greenland—rather than a mere lease agreement—would provide the psychological advantages necessary for a successful US claim. He cited growing activity from rival nations like Russia and China in the Arctic as reasons for the United States’ interest in the territory.
Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, firmly declared that Greenland does not seek to become part of the United States, while Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed concerns regarding “completely unacceptable pressure” from their closest ally. She emphasized Denmark’s unwavering commitment to its territory and its investments in military readiness in the region, totaling around 90 billion kroner ($14 billion).
As the diplomatic discussions unfold, a senior US congressional delegation is set to visit Copenhagen to express solidarity amid escalating tensions over Trump’s remarks. Senator Dick Durbin highlighted that such threats toward Greenland are unnecessary and risk undermining NATO unity.
In a related development, France announced the opening of a consulate in Greenland, signaling growing international interest in the Arctic region as geopolitical dynamics shift amid climate change and increased accessibility.
