Denmark, Greenland and U.S. Form Working Group While Allies Offer Expanded Arctic Support
Updated (3 articles)
High‑level working group established after White House talks Denmark’s foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Greenland’s foreign minister Vivian Motzfeldt and U.S. officials Vice‑President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded an hour‑long meeting without a breakthrough but agreed to create a high‑level working group to examine Greenland’s future and U.S. security concerns [1][2][3]. The group will meet in the coming weeks, tasked with respecting Denmark’s “red lines” while addressing American strategic interests. Both Danish and Greenlandic officials described the session as a constructive start to a formal dialogue.
Denmark and Greenland signal openness to expanded U.S. bases While rejecting any outright takeover, Denmark and Greenland indicated willingness to discuss deeper cooperation, including the possibility of additional joint U.S. bases on the island [1][3]. Rasmussen stressed that any expansion must occur within the Danish‑Greenlandic framework and honor Greenland’s autonomy. The stance reflects a pragmatic balance between sovereignty concerns and potential security benefits.
European allies pledge military assistance and reconnaissance Sweden announced it would dispatch armed forces to Greenland at Denmark’s request, Germany a reconnaissance team, the United Kingdom one officer, and France a consular presence with military elements en route [1]. These commitments are framed as part of a coordinated NATO‑led Arctic security effort. Denmark said any expansion of military infrastructure will be coordinated closely with these partners.
Trump continues to demand U.S. control, invoking NATO and security claims President Trump reiterated that Greenland is vital to U.S. national security, accusing Russia and China of eyeing the Arctic and urging NATO to lead a takeover [1][2][3]. He framed the push as essential to prevent adversaries from occupying the territory, despite Danish officials labeling his claims about Russian and Chinese warships as false. The president’s public pressure contrasts with the diplomatic process underway.
Polls show Greenlanders and Americans overwhelmingly oppose U.S. takeover A January 2025 Greenlandic poll found only 6 % support joining the United States, with 85 % opposed [1]. A Reuters/Ipsos survey from the same period reported roughly 17 % of Americans favor seizing Greenland, while 47 % oppose it [1]. The data underscore broad public skepticism on both sides of the Atlantic.
Sources (3 articles)
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[1]
BBC: Denmark says fundamental disagreement with US over Greenland after White House talks – Details the frank White House session, Trump’s conquest claim, formation of a high‑level working group, and European allies’ planned military contributions .
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[2]
AP: Danish official cites fundamental disagreement with US over Greenland – Highlights the same disagreement, working‑group creation, Trump’s NATO push, Denmark’s Arctic security buildup, and a U.S. congressional delegation heading to Copenhagen .
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[3]
King5: Danish official says fundamental disagreement with Trump over Greenland persists; working group formed – Mirrors the disagreement and working‑group plan, adds NATO‑lead takeover rhetoric, outlines Denmark’s increased Arctic exercises, and notes local skepticism of Trump’s threat narrative .
Timeline
Jan 2025 – A January 2025 poll shows only 6 % of Greenlanders support joining the United States while 85 % oppose it; a concurrent Reuters/Ipsos poll finds 17 % of Americans favor seizing Greenland and 47 % oppose the idea, underscoring widespread skepticism of the U.S. push. [1]
Jan 14, 2026 – President Donald Trump meets Vice‑President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House to press a U.S. acquisition of Greenland; Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen calls the session “frank but constructive” but says Trump “pressed a conquest of Greenland that Denmark calls totally unacceptable.” [1][3]
Jan 14, 2026 – The three parties agree to create a high‑level working group to examine Greenland’s future, tasked with addressing U.S. security concerns while respecting Denmark’s “red lines the US cannot cross,” according to Rasmussen. [1][3]
Jan 14, 2026 – Greenland’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Motzfeldt states the territory is “open to greater cooperation with the US but opposes a Danish takeover,” reaffirming Greenland’s autonomy within the Danish kingdom. [1]
Jan 14, 2026 – Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announces an expanded Danish military presence in the Arctic, including additional aircraft, ships, and troops around Greenland, and outlines joint NATO exercises to bolster regional security. [2][3]
Jan 14, 2026 – European allies pledge concrete support: Sweden will send armed forces on Denmark’s request, Germany will dispatch a reconnaissance team, the UK will send one officer, and France announces a new consulate and the deployment of French military elements to the region. [1]
Jan 14, 2026 – Trump publicly urges NATO to lead a U.S. takeover, tweeting that “anything less than U.S. control would be unacceptable” and framing Greenland as vital to countering “Russian and Chinese” threats in the Arctic. [1][3]
Jan 14, 2026 – A bipartisan delegation of U.S. lawmakers plans a visit to Copenhagen to demonstrate solidarity and discuss the Greenland issue with Danish and Greenlandic officials, signaling continued congressional interest. [2][3]