Denmark warns of ‘fundamental disagreement’ with US over Greenland

Denmark’s foreign minister said there was a “fundamental disagreement” with the United States over Greenland after discussions at the White House.

Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Wednesday’s meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio was “frank but constructive.” But he added that US President Trump was insisting on the “conquest” of Greenland, which was “totally unacceptable”.

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

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

The hour-long meeting between the United States, Denmark and Greenland failed to produce a major breakthrough, although all parties agreed to create a high-level working group to discuss the future of the autonomous Danish territory.

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

“It is productive to start discussions at a high level,” he said.

Rasmussen also said there was an “element of truth” to Trump’s view that security should be strengthened to counter Russian and Chinese interests in the Arctic. But he said the president’s comments about the presence of Russian and Chinese warships around Greenland were “not true.”

Although a sparsely populated territory, Greenland’s location between North America and the Arctic makes it well-positioned for early warning systems for missile attacks and for monitoring ships in the region.

Trump has repeatedly said its acquisition is vital to U.S. national security.

The United States already has more than 100 troops permanently stationed at its Pituffik base on the northwest tip of Greenland, a facility operated by the United States since World War II.

Under existing agreements with Denmark, the United States has the authority to send as many troops as it wants to Greenland.

After Wednesday’s talks, Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt said the territory was open to greater cooperation with the United States, but also opposed a takeover.

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

Vance and Rubio did not immediately comment after the meeting. Trump, meanwhile, told reporters in the Oval Office: “We need Greenland for national security.”

“The problem is that Denmark can’t do anything if Russia or China wants to occupy Greenland, but we can do everything,” he said, adding that he did not believe the United States could rely on Denmark to defend the island.

The talks took place as European allies moved quickly to show their support for Greenland.

Sweden pledged on Wednesday to send armed forces to the territory at the request of Denmark. France’s foreign minister said his country plans to open a consulate on the island next month.

Germany said in a statement sent to the BBC that it would send a “reconnaissance team” to Greenland to “explore the general conditions for possible military contributions to help Denmark ensure security in the region.”

Denmark said its military expansion in Greenland would be done “in close cooperation with its allies.”

“Geopolitical tensions have spread to the Arctic,” he said in a statement.

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

It is not yet clear whether the president plans to use military force to seize the island, and he again refused to rule out the possibility when asked Wednesday.

Other options are reportedly being considered, including purchasing the territory, although neither the Danes nor the Greenlanders have said it is for sale.

Since taking office, Vance has criticized Denmark’s handling of Greenland. The vice president visited the site shortly after taking office.

Trump has argued that control of territory is essential to his planned Golden Dome missile defense system.

“He is vital to the Golden Dome we are building,” Trump said in a social media post Wednesday morning. “NATO should lead the way for us to get there.”

Public opinion polls suggest that a majority of Greenland residents oppose coming under US control.

Most Americans also oppose U.S. control of Greenland. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Wednesday indicates that only 17 percent of Americans support the U.S. capture of Greenland, compared with 47 percent who say they oppose Trump’s attempt to acquire the island.

The latest negotiations on Greenland follow US military operations in Venezuela and against ISIS targets in Syria. Trump also threatened to take military action to end Iran’s crackdown on a growing protest movement engulfing the country.