By Denmark has recently initiated discreet communication with President-elect Donald Trump’s team in response to his controversial comments about Greenland, according to a new report. Seeking to address the matter constructively, Danish officials have proposed discussions about strengthening security measures or expanding the U.S. military presence on the island. These overtures are part of Denmark’s broader effort to ease tensions and reaffirm Greenland’s status as an autonomous territory under Denmark’s defense umbrella.
Trump’s statements, which included a refusal to rule out military action to acquire Greenland, have alarmed Denmark and other European nations. The rhetoric has created an unprecedented strain on U.S.-Danish relations, raising broader concerns about its impact on NATO’s unity and stability. As a long-standing ally and member of NATO, Denmark has found the remarks particularly unsettling, highlighting a potential rift in the alliance.
Roughly 56,000 people live in Greenland, and the area is mainly autonomous. Denmark maintains responsibility for the region’s defense, and they’ve been surprised by Trump’s aggressive posture, writes Axios.
Trump has repeatedly declared that controlling Greenland — the world’s largest island — is necessary for U.S. national security vis-a-vis Russia and China. His son Don Jr. visited Greenland this week bearing MAGA hats.
Climate change is opening up the Arctic for competition between superpowers, and could also make it easier to tap Greenland’s mineral riches.
Between the lines: The Danish government wants to convince Trump, including through the messages passed to his advisers this week, that his security concerns can be addressed without claiming Greenland for the U.S.
One European diplomat told Axios that Denmark is widely seen as one of the closest allies of the U.S. within the EU, and no one could have imagined it would be the first country with which Trump would pick a fight.
Although the U.S. already has a military presence on Greenland under a 1951 defense agreement with Denmark, Trump’s remarks have cast doubt on the administration’s broader intentions. Danish officials, including Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Premier Múte Egede, have taken steps to address the situation. Frederiksen has sought direct dialogue with Trump to clarify his comments, while Egede has reiterated Greenland’s commitment to self-determination, stating that the island’s future lies in the hands of its people.
Privately, Danish authorities have sought to avoid public escalation. They have conveyed to Trump’s advisors that Greenland is unequivocally not for sale but have expressed a willingness to explore ways to address U.S. security concerns. These discussions might include enhanced military infrastructure or increased troop deployments, provided Greenlandic authorities are consulted and their autonomy respected.
Greenland has played a pivotal role in NATO’s Arctic defense strategies for decades, particularly during the Cold War when it hosted early-warning systems for Soviet threats. Today, its strategic importance continues to grow as the Arctic’s geopolitical landscape evolves, intertwining the island’s fate with global security concerns.
While Secretary of State Antony Blinken has dismissed the idea of acquiring Greenland as impractical, the continued interest signaled by Trump’s remarks and a recent visit to the island by his son has kept the issue in the spotlight. Danish and Greenlandic officials remain cautious, balancing the need to protect sovereignty with the recognition of Greenland’s critical role in U.S. and NATO defense strategies.
A recent poll of Greenlanders revealed support for joining the United States.
🚨 #BREAKING: Greenland supports joining the United States – new poll
🟢 Join America: 57.3%
🔴 Don’t join: 37.4%@PatriotPolling | 1/6-11 | N=416 pic.twitter.com/AqFZlgtbSj— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 12, 2025
President-elect Donald Trump’s allies in the House GOP are advancing a plan to support his ambition to purchase Greenland, a Danish territory. Rep. Andy Ogles, a Republican from Tennessee, is spearheading the effort by introducing the “Make Greenland Great Again Act,” a bill that would authorize Trump to negotiate with Denmark for the acquisition of Greenland.
Ogles framed the effort as a sharp departure from the foreign policy approach of President Joe Biden, whom he accused of damaging America’s international reputation. Highlighting Trump’s “America First” agenda, Ogles told Fox News Digital that this move signals a resurgence of American economic and security priorities. He emphasized that House Republicans are prepared to help Trump deliver on his promises to strengthen the nation’s global standing and protect its interests.
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