Tensions Rise as Denmark Rejects US Claims on Greenland

Thu Jan 15 2026 14:00:30 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Denmark's Foreign Minister underscores 'fundamental disagreement' with US over Greenland's status following White House talks, raising geopolitical tensions.

Following a challenging meeting between Danish officials and US representatives, Denmark's foreign minister expressed a 'fundamental disagreement' regarding US intentions for Greenland. The discussions come in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions and concerns over the Arctic's future, as both nations seek to navigate their respective interests in the region.

Denmark's foreign minister has stated that there is a 'fundamental disagreement' with the US over Greenland following discussions at the White House. Lars Lokke Rasmussen characterized the meeting with Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as 'frank but constructive,' but firmly rejected US President Trump's ambitions of 'conquering' the resource-rich island, which he deemed 'totally unacceptable.'

Rasmussen emphasized that their position was clear: such ambitions do not align with Denmark's interests. Despite the tensions, a working group is set to be established to facilitate discussions about the future of Greenland, with all parties remaining open to more military cooperation based on their existing agreements.

While Rasmussen acknowledged some aspects of Trump's security concerns, particularly regarding the presence of Russian and Chinese military interests in the Arctic, he contested the president's claims about their naval activities near Greenland.

The hour-long talks yielded no major agreement but did encourage the formation of a high-level working group. Greenland’s government also expressed its opposition to any takeover while remaining receptive to US cooperation. Minister Vivian Motzfeldt outlined the limits of their acceptance towards US military presence, further complicating the delicate balance of relationships in the region.

International responses have begun to materialize, with Sweden offering military assistance to Denmark, while Germany and France have announced initiatives of their own to bolster security cooperation in Greenland. The culmination of these events highlights a significant shift in the geopolitical dynamics of the Arctic as stakeholders regarding Greenland navigate a complex web of interests.

}