Denmark’s foreign minister says there is a “fundamental misunderstanding” with the US over Greenland after talks at the White House.
Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the meeting with Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday was “frank but constructive”. But he added that US President Trump insists on the “occupation” of Greenland which is “absolutely unacceptable”.
“We are doing this, it is very clear that it is not in (Denmark’s) interest,” he said.
Trump has since reiterated his interest in acquiring the resource-rich island, a position that has upset allies across Europe and fueled tensions with Nato.
An hour-long meeting between the US, Denmark and Greenland failed to bring a major breakthrough, although all sides agreed to set-up a high-level working group to discuss the future of the autonomous territory of Denmark.
Rasmussen said there are “red lines” the US cannot cross, and the working group will meet in the coming weeks in an effort to find a compromise. He added that Denmark and Greenland are open to the possibility of the US opening more military bases on the island.
Despite being the least populated territory, Greenland’s location between North America and the Arctic makes it well placed for early warning systems in case of missile attacks, and for monitoring ships in the region.
Trump has repeatedly said Greenland is vital to US national security.
The US already has more than 100 military personnel permanently stationed at its Pituffik base on the northwestern tip of Greenland – a facility the US has operated since World War II.
Under existing agreements with Denmark, the US has the power to bring as many troops as it wants to Greenland.
After the meeting, Denmark promised to send armed forces to the island.
Greenland’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Motzfeldt said the territory was open to greater cooperation with the US but also opposed the takeover.
“We’re showing where our limits are,” Motzfeldt said.
Vance and Rubio did not immediately comment after the meeting. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office: “We need Greenland for national security.”
“The problem is that Denmark doesn’t have a single thing to do about it if Russia or China wants to take over Greenland, but there’s everything we can do,” he said, adding that he doesn’t believe the US can rely on Denmark to protect the island.
As tensions rose in Washington, European allies moved quickly to show support for Greenland.
Sweden on Wednesday pledged to send armed forces to Greenland at Denmark’s request. France’s foreign minister said the country plans to open a consulate on the island next month.
Germany said in a statement provided to the BBC that it would send a “reconnaissance team” to Greenland to “assess the general conditions for possible military contributions to support Denmark in ensuring security in the region”.
Denmark said its military expansion in Greenland would take place “in close cooperation with allies”.
“Geopolitical tensions are spreading in the arctic,” it said in a statement.
The talks at the White House are just the latest round of diplomatic discussions about Trump’s growing interest in somehow taking control of Greenland.
It is unclear whether the president is considering using military force to seize the island. He refused to rule it out when asked on Wednesday.
Other options reportedly being considered include buying 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 shortly after taking office on a trip meant to signal the administration’s interest in acquiring the territory.
Trump has argued that territorial control is essential for his planned missile defense system, the Golden Dome.
“This is important for the Golden Dome that we’re building,” Trump said in a social media post early Wednesday. “NATO has to lead the way so that we can get it.”
Public opinion polls show that the majority of Greenland residents are opposed to being subject to US control.
Most Americans also oppose US control of Greenland. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Wednesday found that only 17% of Americans support the US annexation of Greenland, compared with 47 percent who said they oppose Trump’s push to take the island.
Trump’s focus on Greenland comes in the wake of US attacks on Venezuela and ISIS in Syria in recent weeks. Trump also threatened to take military action to stop the deadly explosion in Iran in the growing protest movement engulfing the country.