Denmark and Greenland reject Donald Trump’s renewed calls for US control over Greenland, reaffirming sovereignty and self-determination while agreeing to limited talks with Washington on Arctic cooperation and regional security within NATO frameworks.
Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected renewed calls by former US President Donald Trump advocating American control over Greenland, reiterating that sovereignty, self-determination, and international cooperation remain non-negotiable principles. The response comes amid heightened rhetoric from Trump, who has once again framed Greenland as strategically vital to US national security and NATO’s effectiveness.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt confirmed that Washington, Copenhagen, and Nuuk have agreed to establish a joint working group to explore future cooperation related to Greenland. However, both leaders made it clear that the talks do not signal any openness to US ownership or takeover of the Arctic island.
Speaking after meetings at the White House with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Rasmussen described the discussions as “frank but constructive.” Despite diplomatic engagement, he underlined that fundamental disagreements remain, particularly regarding Trump’s repeated claims that US control over Greenland is necessary.
“A US takeover of Greenland is neither needed nor acceptable,” Rasmussen stated, emphasizing that Denmark’s position on sovereignty and Greenland’s right to self-determination has not changed and will not change.
Trump’s comments, shared earlier on his social media platform Truth Social, reignited controversy. He claimed that “anything less than US control is unacceptable” and argued that NATO would become “far more formidable and effective” if Greenland were under American authority. The remarks drew swift rebuttals from both Denmark and Greenland, who rejected the notion that security in the Arctic requires a transfer of ownership.
Rasmussen dismissed arguments suggesting an urgent military threat from Russia or China in Greenland, calling such claims exaggerated and unsupported by intelligence. “According to our intelligence, we have not had a Chinese warship in Greenland for a decade or so,” he said. He further added that there is no immediate threat from China or Russia that Denmark and Greenland are incapable of addressing through existing security arrangements.
The Danish foreign minister stressed that Denmark is willing to strengthen its security contributions in the Arctic region, including Greenland, but only within the framework of Danish sovereignty and Greenlandic autonomy. “Any idea undermining sovereignty or self-determination is totally unacceptable,” he said.
Addressing criticism from Trump regarding Greenland’s continued use of traditional dog sledges by Special Forces, Rasmussen defended their effectiveness. He noted that dog sledges remain highly practical for mobility in extreme Arctic conditions, despite skepticism from US leadership questioning their relevance in modern military operations.
Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt echoed Denmark’s stance, reinforcing that while Greenland values cooperation with the United States, it has no intention of relinquishing control over its future. “That does not mean we want to be owned by the United States,” she said, drawing a clear distinction between partnership and possession.
Motzfeldt called for a reset in relations, urging all parties to return to a “normalised relationship” based on mutual respect and shared strategic interests. She highlighted the importance of balance, collaboration, and alliance-building, especially in the increasingly sensitive Arctic region where climate change and geopolitics intersect.
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The remarks come at a time when Denmark has already increased its military activity in Greenland. Over the past year, the Danish Defence Command has expanded Arctic operations, including training deployments, routine patrols, and preparations for future missions aimed at maintaining regional stability.
Rasmussen defended Copenhagen’s approach, stating that Denmark remains firmly aligned with democratic values and international law. “Denmark is by all means on the right side of history,” he said, underscoring Denmark’s commitment to Arctic security through cooperation rather than coercion.
As geopolitical interest in the Arctic continues to grow, Denmark and Greenland are signaling that while they welcome dialogue and alliance-based security cooperation with the United States, ownership and control are off the table. The message is clear: Greenland’s future will be decided by Greenlanders, not external powers.
