Denmark’s foreign minister said there is a «fundamental disagreement» with the United States over Greenland following talks at the White House, after President Donald Trump renewed calls to bring the island under U.S. control.
Lars Lokke Rasmussen described his meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as frank but constructive. He stressed that Trump’s language about «conquering» Greenland was unacceptable to Denmark. He said Danish officials made clear that such a move was not in the country’s interest.
The hour-long talks involving the U.S., Denmark and Greenland did not produce a breakthrough. However, the sides agreed to create a high-level working group to discuss the future of the autonomous Danish territory. Rasmussen said there were clear red lines the U.S. could not cross but added that Denmark and Greenland were open to expanded U.S. military presence on the island.
Trump later repeated his view that Greenland is essential to U.S. national security, a stance that has unsettled European allies and heightened tensions within NATO. Rasmussen acknowledged concerns about Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic but rejected Trump’s claims about foreign warships operating near Greenland.
Greenland’s foreign minister Vivian Motzfeldt said the territory was open to closer co-operation with Washington but firmly opposed a takeover. European allies moved quickly to show support, with Sweden, Germany, the UK and France announcing plans to contribute personnel or reconnaissance teams to bolster security around Greenland.
