A Fundamental Dispute Between Denmark and the United States Regarding Greenland, According to the Danish Minister
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen has announced a “fundamental dispute” between his country and the United States regarding Greenland, following consultations held at the White House.
In a statement, Rasmussen described his meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday as “bold but constructive,” but added that U.S. President Donald Trump was demanding a “takeover” of Greenland, calling it “completely unacceptable.”
“We have made it very clear that this is not in Denmark’s interest,” the Danish minister said.
Trump later reiterated his interest in purchasing the resource-rich island, a stance that has alarmed allies in Europe and caused tensions within NATO.
The hour-long meeting between the United States, Denmark, and Greenland did not result in any major breakthrough, although all parties agreed to establish a high-level working group to discuss the future of the autonomous Danish territory.
Rasmussen said there are “red lines” that the United States cannot cross, and that the working group will meet in the coming weeks in an attempt to reach a coherent agreement. He added that Denmark and Greenland are open to the possibility of the United States opening additional military bases on the island.
Despite being one of the most sparsely populated areas, Greenland’s location between North America and the Arctic makes it excellently suited for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks and for monitoring ships in the region.
Trump has repeatedly stated that Greenland is vital to United States national security resilience.
The United States already has more than 100 permanent military personnel at its base in Pituffik, located in the northwest—a facility managed by the U.S. since World War II. Under current agreements with Denmark, the United States has the ability to move as many troops as it wishes to Greenland.
Following the meeting, Denmark promised a military campaign for the island.
Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt said the region is open to expanding cooperation with the United States but is also opposed to being controlled by it.
“We have shown where our limits lie,” Motzfeldt said.
Vance and Rubio did not comment immediately after the meeting. However, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office: “We need Greenland for our national security resilience.”
He added: “The problem is that there is nothing Denmark can do if Russia or China wanted to occupy Greenland, but we would be able to do everything we can,” suggesting that he does not believe the United States can rely on Denmark to defend the island.
As tensions rise in Washington, Denmark’s allies in Europe have taken swift steps to offer support to Greenland.
Sweden pledged to send a military mission to Greenland at Denmark’s request. The French Foreign Minister announced plans for his country to open a consulate on the island next month.
Germany said in a statement to the BBC that it would send a “reconnaissance team” to Greenland to assess the “general conditions necessary for a potential military contribution to support Denmark in ensuring the security of the region.”
Denmark stated that its military expansion in Greenland would be undertaken “in close cooperation with allies.”
“Geopolitical tensions have spread to the Arctic,” the statement said.
The White House consultations are the latest in a series of diplomatic negotiations regarding Trump’s growing interest in how to control Greenland.
It is currently unknown whether the President is considering the use of military force to seize the island. He did not rule it out when asked on Wednesday.
Options mentioned for consideration include purchasing the territory, although the Danes and Greenlanders have not yet announced it is for sale.
After taking office, the Vice President published criticisms of Denmark’s terms for governing Greenland. He had previously visited Greenland on a trip aimed at signaling the administration’s interest in taking over the island.
Trump had justified U.S. control over the region as necessary for his planned missile defense system, the “Golden Dome.”
Trump said in a social media post early Wednesday: “Very important for the Golden Dome system we are building. NATO should lead the race to resolve our case in acquiring Greenland.”
Public opinion polls in Greenland indicate that the majority of the population rejects falling under U.S. control.
Most Americans also oppose U.S. control over Greenland. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Wednesday concluded that only 17% of Americans support a U.S. occupation of Greenland, compared to 47% who said they oppose Trump’s pursuit to buy it.
Trump’s focus on Greenland follows U.S. strikes that hit Venezuela and ISIS militants in Syria in recent weeks. He also threatened to take military action to stand against the deadly crackdown by Iran on a growing wave of protest movements that have swept the country.
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