Denmark Stands Firm: Disagreement with U.S. Over Greenland Intensifies

Thu Jan 15 2026 05:04:29 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

After high-stakes talks at the White House, Denmark's foreign minister indicates a 'fundamental disagreement' with the U.S. regarding the future of Greenland, emphasizing national interests and sovereignty.

Following talks with U.S. officials, Denmark's foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen highlighted a significant disagreement with President Trump over Greenland. The U.S. pushes for control of the resource-rich island, citing national security, while Denmark firmly opposes any notion of 'conquest'. Although a working group will be established to enhance cooperation, no major breakthroughs were achieved in the meeting, leaving tensions high between allies.

Denmark's foreign minister has said there is a fundamental disagreement with the US over Greenland after talks at the White House.

Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the meeting with Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday had been frank but constructive. But he added that US President Trump was insisting on conquering Greenland which was totally unacceptable.

We made it very, very clear that this is not in the interest of [Denmark], he said.

Trump afterwards reiterated his interest in acquiring the resource-rich island, a position that has rattled allies across Europe and stoked tensions with NATO.

The hour-long meeting between the US, Denmark and Greenland failed to bring a major breakthrough, although all sides agreed to set up a high-level working group to discuss the future of the autonomous Danish territory.

Rasmussen said there were red lines the US could not cross, and the working group would meet in the coming weeks in an effort to find a compromise. He added that Denmark and Greenland were open to the possibility of the US opening more military bases on the island.

Despite being the most sparsely populated territory, Greenland's location makes it well positioned for early warning systems against missile attacks.

Trump has repeatedly stated that Greenland is vital to US national security. The US already has more than 100 military personnel stationed at its Pituffik base in Greenland, in operation since WWII.

After the meeting, Denmark vowed to send armed forces to the island. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greenland, Vivian Motzfeldt said the territory was open to cooperation but opposed any takeover.

“We have shown where our limits are,” Motzfeldt said.

Tensions in Washington have prompted European allies to quickly support Greenland, with Sweden pledging military assistance and France planning to open a consulate on the island.

The White House talks were just the latest round of diplomatic discussions over Trump’s interest in Greenland.

Public opinion polls show that most Greenland residents and many Americans oppose US control over the territory.