At a Glance
- President Donald Trump vowed to seize Greenland “one way or the other” ahead of White House talks
- Danish and Greenlandic leaders reject U.S. ownership, choosing Denmark if forced to pick sides
- Only 17% of Americans approve of acquiring Greenland; 71% oppose using military force
- Why it matters: The standoff strains NATO ties and raises fears of armed conflict over the Arctic territory
Greenland’s future hangs in the balance as top diplomats from Denmark and Greenland arrive at the White House for urgent talks aimed at cooling U.S. ambitions to take control of the island. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will host Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt after President Trump intensified threats to acquire the territory.
Trump Doubles Down Ahead of Talks
Hours before the meeting, Trump posted on Truth Social that Greenland is “vital” for Washington’s Golden Dome missile defense system and declared NATO should “lead the way” for U.S. ownership. “Anything less than that is unacceptable,” he wrote, repeating vows to block Russia or China from gaining influence.
The president has floated military action and suggested the mineral-rich island is strategically critical, even as European allies warn such moves could implode NATO. Sources told News Of Losangeles that Vance’s participation raises the stakes for Copenhagen, which views the session as a crucial chance to ease tensions.
Rasmussen confirmed Vance requested to join after Denmark originally sought talks with Rubio. “We can look each other in the eye and talk about these things,” he said Tuesday.
Greenland and Denmark Draw Red Lines
Greenland Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen left no room for ambiguity: “Greenland does not want to be owned by the USA. Greenland does not want to be governed by the USA. Greenland will not be part of the USA.” Speaking alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, he added, “We choose the Greenland we know today, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.”
Trump dismissed Nielsen on Tuesday: “I don’t know who he is. Don’t know anything about him, but that’s going to be a big problem for him.”
Danish officials stress the territory is not for sale. If Washington attempts a purchase, estimates reach $700 billion, according to three people familiar with the assessment.
Public Opposition Mounts
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Wednesday shows Americans reject the idea:
- 17% approve of Trump’s effort to acquire Greenland
- 49% disapprove
- 35% are unsure
- Only 4% back using military force
- 71% say armed seizure would be a bad idea
Island Residents Lose Sleep
Greenland’s minister for business and mineral resources, Naaja Nathanielsen, said U.S. threats keep residents awake. “This is really filling the agenda and the discussions around the households,” she told reporters in London Tuesday. “People are feeling the effects of it.”
Nathanielsen added that officials know little beyond media reports and want direct dialogue to understand Trump administration proposals. “For others this may be a piece of land, but for us it’s home,” she said, urging that Greenlanders get a say in any outcome.
Europe Scrambles to Respond
European leaders are rushing to address Trump’s security concerns and bolster Arctic defense. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said alliance members agree on the urgency of Arctic security. France will open a consulate in Greenland next month-a move planned since last year-and Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot accused Washington of “blackmailing” Greenland and Denmark.
French President Emmanuel Macron warned Wednesday that sovereignty threats against a European ally would have “unprecedented” knock-on effects.
Key Takeaways
- The White House meeting tests whether diplomacy can defuse Trump’s determination to acquire Greenland
- Denmark and Greenland remain united against U.S. ownership, raising the risk of prolonged standoff
- American public opinion and allied opposition leave the president with limited options short of coercion
- Arctic security, NATO unity, and the rights of Greenland’s 56,000 residents now sit at the center of transatlantic tensions
