A bipartisan delegation of U.S. lawmakers is due to meet leaders of Denmark and Greenland on Friday to offer reassurance of congressional backing, despite President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to take control of the Arctic island.
Trump has argued that Greenland is critical to U.S. security because of its strategic position and mineral resources and has not ruled out using force. At Denmark’s request, several European countries this week sent small numbers of military personnel to the island.
Congress seeks to reassure allies
The 11-member delegation, led by Democratic Sen. Chris Coons, was scheduled to meet Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, according to Frederiksen’s office. Coons said earlier this week that at a time of growing global instability, the United States should strengthen ties with allies rather than alienate them.
Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire said rhetoric about a U.S. takeover of Greenland weakened NATO and benefited Russia and China. She said concerns in Denmark and Greenland were understandable when trust had been shaken but added she believed more measured voices would prevail, citing strong bipartisan support in Congress for NATO and the U.S.-Danish relationship.
The delegation includes Republican Sens. Thom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski but is largely made up of Democrats. To mark the visit, the Greenlandic flag was flown at the Danish parliament building in Copenhagen.
Tensions follow failed White House talks
The trip follows a meeting at the White House on Wednesday between Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance. Danish officials said the talks failed to shift Washington’s position on acquiring Greenland.
Rasmussen and Motzfeldt have also met U.S. lawmakers in Washington this week as Denmark and Greenland seek to defuse an unprecedented dispute with a NATO ally. Rasmussen said Denmark was open to security cooperation in the Arctic but only with respect for territorial integrity, international law and the UN Charter.
Trump first raised the idea of acquiring Greenland in 2019 and continues to face resistance in Washington, including from members of his own party. Lawmakers from both parties have said they would support legislation to limit Trump’s ability to seize Greenland, although a House bill backing annexation has also been introduced.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that just 17% of Americans support Trump’s efforts to acquire Greenland, with majorities of Democrats and Republicans opposing the use of military force. Trump has dismissed the poll as fake.
