‘We Are Allies, Not US Property’: Denmark Fires Back At Trump’s ‘Conquering’ Greenland Claims | World News

Trump Greenland Takeover Claims: Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenland’s top diplomat Vivian Motzfeldt confirmed that the United States had agreed to form a working group to explore possible paths forward in Greenland. But they warned that progress so far has been limited.

Rasmussen described the White House meeting with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as “frank but constructive” and reiterated that it was “absolutely not necessary” for the US to acquire Greenland. “We still have fundamental disagreements,” he added, but stressed that talks would continue.

The Danish foreign minister also said that Denmark was ready to increase its security contributions to Greenland and that any idea that threatened Denmark’s sovereignty or Greenland’s right to self-determination was “completely unacceptable”.

‘No Immediate Arctic Threat from Russia or China’

Rasmussen rejected allegations of a Chinese or Russian presence in Greenland, saying, “According to our intelligence, we have not had a Chinese warship in Greenland for nearly ten years.”

“There is no immediate threat from China and Russia that Denmark and Greenland cannot meet,” he said.

He also defended the use of Greenland dog sleds by special forces, saying they were extremely effective in operating in the Arctic. Trump has repeatedly questioned their usefulness in the region.

Greenland Claims Independence, Asks for Cooperation

Motzfeldt emphasized that Greenland is willing to work with the United States but is committed to its independence. “This doesn’t mean we want to be owned by the United States,” he said.

He called for a return to the “normalized relationship we used to have” and emphasized that both countries must find balance and work as allies.

President Donald Trump renewed his call for the United States to control Greenland, citing national security and the power of NATO. “Anything less than US control is unacceptable… NATO becomes much more formidable and effective when Greenland is in US hands,” he wrote in a post on Truth Social.

Rasmussen said there was no need for the United States to take Greenland and there was no “immediate threat” from Russia or China. “Denmark is definitely on the right side of history,” he said.

Europe and Canada Rally Behind Greenland

European leaders warned against a US attempt to take over the region. While French President Emmanuel Macron said that such a move would lead to “unprecedented” consequences, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that Greenland belongs to its own people and the decision should be made by Denmark and Greenland.

Canada also supported Greenland’s sovereignty. Prime Minister Mark Carney and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen reiterated that Greenland’s future “will be determined solely by the Danish people”.

Underlining its interest in the Arctic, Ottawa plans to open a consulate in Nuuk in early February.

Security Steps, Military Reinforcements

Denmark increased its military presence in Greenland last year and is ready to do more. The Danish Defense Command has increased its activities in the Arctic, training deployments and maintaining a presence as part of routine and upcoming operations, Rasmussen said.

Germany will also send 13 soldiers to Greenland from Thursday to Saturday at the request of Denmark. The operation will investigate military contributions, including maritime surveillance, to strengthen regional security.

Working Group Seeks Way Forward

The newly announced U.S.-Denmark-Greenland working group will meet in the coming weeks to address America’s security concerns while respecting the “red lines of the Kingdom of Denmark.”

Rasmussen emphasized that the group aims to find “a common path forward” despite differences. Motzfeldt concluded: “We are allies, we are friends… It is always in the interest of the region to find the right path, and we hope for greater mutual understanding.”