Leaders from Denmark and Greenland emphasized that the sovereignty of Greenland is non-negotiable following remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump about an Arctic security framework. In an interview with Fox Business, Trump stated that he had reached an agreement with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte granting the U.S. “total access” to Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of Denmark.
The specifics of this potential agreement remain vague. Trump claimed that the framework would allow for “all the military access we want” in Greenland. In response, NATO spokesperson Allison Hart clarified that Rutte did not suggest any compromises regarding the sovereignty of Greenland during his discussions with Trump.
On August 28, 2023, Trump unexpectedly reversed his previous stance by cancelling tariffs he had proposed against eight European nations to push for U.S. control over Greenland. This abrupt shift came just hours after he emphasized his desire to obtain “right, title, and ownership” of the island, while maintaining that he would not resort to force.
Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen expressed cautious relief but acknowledged a lack of concrete details surrounding the agreement. He stated, “I don’t know what there is in the agreement, or the deal about my country.”
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that Arctic security is an issue for all NATO members. In a formal statement, she reiterated that “we cannot negotiate on our sovereignty.” Frederiksen highlighted her ongoing discussions with Rutte, indicating that Denmark aims to engage constructively with its allies to bolster Arctic security while respecting its territorial integrity.
The U.S. already maintains a military presence in Greenland, governed by a treaty from 1951 that allows the establishment of military bases with Danish and Greenlandic consent. Hart confirmed that the NATO alliance, under Rutte’s leadership, is focused on preventing Russian and Chinese influence in Greenland, but emphasized that sovereignty negotiations would not be on the table.
Nielsen indicated that Greenland is open to enhancing its cooperation with NATO, stating, “Respectful dialogue through the right channels is what we have been seeking from the get-go.” He referenced a working group established last week involving U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which aims to facilitate discussions regarding Arctic security.
Concerns about Trump’s credibility linger among some in Denmark. In Copenhagen, Louise Pedersen, a 22-year-old startup employee, expressed skepticism, saying, “I think the man has said many things and done a lot of different things to what he says.” Another resident, Poul Bjoern Strand, a 70-year-old advertising professional, added, “I don’t really trust anything Mr. Trump is saying.”
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany, stressed the need for European NATO allies to enhance their efforts in securing the Arctic region. He affirmed, “We will protect Denmark, Greenland, the north from the threat posed by Russia,” while supporting ongoing discussions between Denmark, Greenland, and the U.S. based on principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Frederiksen also traveled to the United Kingdom for discussions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who remarked that the “hard yards” of strengthening Arctic security can now begin. Starmer credited Trump’s decision to withdraw tariff threats as a pragmatic step in fostering cooperation.
As the situation develops, the commitment from Denmark and Greenland to uphold their sovereignty remains firm, underscoring the complexities of international discussions surrounding Arctic security amidst shifting geopolitical dynamics.
