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Denmark’s chief diplomat reported on Wednesday that he was unable to sway the Biden administration concerning President Donald Trump’s previous threats to seize Greenland, despite traveling to the White House for discussions. The foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland, an autonomous region of Denmark, met with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in hopes of clarifying “misunderstandings” following Trump’s aggressive rhetoric directed at the NATO member.
“We were not able to alter the American stance. It’s evident that the president has a desire to take control of Greenland,” Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told journalists after the meeting. “We clearly conveyed that this is not in the best interest of the kingdom.” He emphasized that a U.S. takeover of Greenland, where the U.S. has maintained a longstanding military base, is “completely unnecessary.” The foreign minister underlined that the issue is “very sensitive” for both Greenlanders and Danes, who are staunch U.S. allies and whose troops fought alongside Americans in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“Any ideas that ignore the territorial integrity of Denmark and the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination are, of course, unacceptable,” Rasmussen stated. “We still hold a fundamental disagreement but have agreed to disagree for now.” The two nations will establish a committee that will meet within weeks to explore potential progress.
Just hours before the discussion, President Trump reaffirmed that NATO should back the U.S. effort to assume control over Greenland, despite widespread support from European allies backing Denmark. Trump claimed Greenland was “crucial” for his proposed Golden Dome missile and air defense system. “Anything less than that is unacceptable,” he posted on his Truth Social platform. “IF WE DON’T, RUSSIA OR CHINA WILL, AND THAT’S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!”
While negotiations were ongoing, the White House shared a mocking post on X, depicting two dogsleds—one heading towards the White House with a large U.S. flag, and another toward the Chinese and Russian flags over a lightning-lit Kremlin and the Great Wall of China, accompanied by the caption, “Which way, Greenland man?” Neither China nor Russia has laid claim to Greenland, and Rasmussen noted that no Chinese ships have been spotted there in ten years.
Prior to the meeting, Denmark committed to increasing its military presence in the vast, sparsely populated, strategically important island. Trump has criticized Denmark’s recent efforts to enhance Greenland’s security, dismissing them as “two dogsleds,” despite Denmark’s nearly $14 billion investment in Arctic defense. The Greenland dispute has strained transatlantic relations, with Denmark and Greenland insisting that only Greenland’s residents should determine the island’s future.
In Nuuk’s quiet streets, national pride was evident as red and white Greenlandic flags adorned shops, balconies, cars, and buses, reflecting solidarity during the talks. Greenland’s top official reaffirmed the island’s preference to remain part of Denmark, prompting Trump to remark that “that’s going to be a big problem for him.” Vance, known for his tough rhetoric and during a visit to Greenland last year called Denmark a “bad ally,” has a history of blunt interactions, notably criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office last February.
The meeting was closed to the press, preventing any television encounters.
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced earlier Wednesday that his country was expanding its military footprint in Greenland, engaging in discussions with NATO partners. Denmark launched a military exercise that includes aircraft, ships, and troops, with Swedish forces participating at Denmark’s invitation.
Since ordering a lethal strike in Venezuela on January 3 that removed President Nicolas Maduro, Trump has appeared more assertive regarding Greenland and broader U.S. influence in the region, including the White House’s repeated statements that military options against Greenland remain on the table.
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