Denmark Asserts 'Fundamental Disagreement' with US Over Greenland Claims

Thu Jan 15 2026 05:36:29 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Following recent discussions at the White House, Denmark's foreign minister expressed a strong opposition to the U.S. government’s interest in acquiring Greenland, marking a significant diplomatic rift.

In a decisive statement, Denmark's foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen described a 'fundamental disagreement' with the U.S. regarding Greenland. After talks with Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Rasmussen criticized President Trump's insistence on acquiring the resource-rich territory as 'totally unacceptable.' The dialogue aimed to establish a working group for future cooperation, indicating Denmark's military intent to bolster forces on the island amidst rising geopolitical tensions.

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 between North America and the Arctic makes it well placed for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks, and for monitoring vessels in the region.

Trump has repeatedly said that Greenland is vital to US national security.

The US already has more than 100 military personnel permanently stationed at its Pituffik base in Greenland's north-western tip - a facility that has been operated by the US since World War Two.

Under existing agreements with Denmark, the US has the power to bring as many troops as it wants to Greenland.

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 greater cooperation with the US but also opposed a takeover.

'We have shown where our limits are,' Motzfeldt said.

As tensions simmered in Washington, allies in Europe moved quickly to show support for Greenland. Sweden on Wednesday pledged to send armed forces to Greenland at Denmark's request. France's foreign minister said the country planned to open a consulate on the island next month.

Germany said it would send a 'reconnaissance team' to Greenland to 'explore the general conditions for possible military contributions to support Denmark in ensuring security in the region'.

Denmark said its military expansion in Greenland will take place 'in close cooperation with allies'.

'Geopolitical tensions have spread to the arctic,' it said in a statement.

The White House talks were just the latest round of diplomatic discussions over Trump's growing interest in somehow taking control of Greenland.

Public opinion polls show a majority of Greenland residents oppose coming under US control. Most Americans also oppose US control of Greenland; a recent poll indicated only 17% support the idea, compared to 47% who oppose it.