Denmark and Greenland have concluded high-level discussions with the United States, but key disagreements over Greenland’s future remain, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said Thursday. He emphasized that dialogue with the U.S. will continue despite the ongoing differences.
A new “high-level” working group is set to be established to focus on Greenland’s strategic role and long-term planning. Rasmussen met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alongside Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt. He described the discussions as “open and constructive,” adding that they followed a series of unusually public statements regarding Greenland.
U.S. President Donald Trump has previously expressed interest in Greenland, citing its Arctic security importance. Rasmussen clarified that Denmark and Greenland are committed to collaborating with the United States on regional security. Under a 1951 treaty, the U.S. already has access to Greenland and can request additional military bases if needed.
Trump has expressed concerns over potential Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic. Rasmussen acknowledged these concerns but noted that there is no large-scale presence of Chinese or Russian forces in the region, making a U.S. takeover unnecessary.
Danish media had anticipated a tense meeting, fearing public disagreements similar to previous international encounters. However, the talks concluded without incident, and the announcement of continued dialogue was welcomed as a positive development. Rasmussen expects the newly formed Greenland working group to meet within the coming weeks.
Separately, Denmark confirmed plans to strengthen its military presence on Greenland, with support from allies. Germany has indicated it will also contribute to enhanced Arctic security.
