At a Glance
- President Trump vowed to seize Greenland from Denmark “one way or the other”
- Top Danish and Greenlandic diplomats met with VP JD Vance and Sec. Rubio at White House
- Greenland officials reject U.S. control: “We choose Denmark”
- Why it matters: Military action could shatter NATO alliance as Trump pushes for strategic Arctic territory
President Trump intensified his push to acquire Greenland from Denmark on Wednesday, declaring the strategically vital island “must” become U.S. territory as top diplomats from Denmark and Greenland arrived at the White House for emergency talks.
Trump’s Ultimatum
Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt for high-stakes negotiations over the future of the semi-autonomous territory.
Hours before the meeting, Trump doubled down on Truth Social: “Greenland is vital for our Golden Dome missile defense system. NATO should be leading the way for the U.S. to acquire this territory. Anything less is unacceptable.”
The president has repeatedly floated military action to seize the mineral-rich island, warning that Russia or China could claim it first. His threats have triggered alarm among NATO allies.
Greenland’s Rejection
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen delivered an unequivocal rejection before the talks.
“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,” Nielsen declared in Copenhagen alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. “We choose the Greenland we know today, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.”
When asked about Nielsen’s comments, Trump told reporters: “I don’t know who he is. Don’t know anything about him, but that’s going to be a big problem for him.”
The Price Tag
If Trump pursues a purchase instead of military action, the U.S. could pay $700 billion according to three sources familiar with cost estimates. Denmark maintains Greenland is not for sale.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Wednesday shows Americans oppose Trump’s Greenland ambitions:
- 17% approve of acquisition efforts
- 49% disapprove
- 35% unsure
- Only 4% support using military force
- 71% say military action would be a bad idea
European Response
The crisis has prompted European powers to strengthen Arctic defenses. NATO chief Mark Rutte said alliance members agree on “the urgency of Arctic security.”
France announced it will open a Greenland consulate next month – a move planned since last year. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot urged the U.S. to stop “blackmailing” Greenland and Denmark.
French President Emmanuel Macron warned: “I don’t underestimate Trump’s threats. The knock-on effects would be unprecedented if the sovereignty of a European ally were affected.”
Human Impact
Greenland officials say Trump’s threats are taking a psychological toll on residents.
“This is really filling the agenda and the discussions around the households,” said Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland’s minister for business and mineral resources. “It’s a massive pressure that we are under, and people are feeling the effects of it.”
Nathanielsen emphasized: “For others this might be a piece of land, but for us it’s home.”
Diplomatic Stakes
Danish officials view the White House meeting as crucial for de-escalating tensions. Rasmussen said Vance’s participation raises the meeting’s significance.
“Our reason for seeking this meeting was to move this whole discussion into a meeting room where we can look each other in the eye,” Rasmussen explained.
The Danish foreign minister noted that after their initial request to meet Rubio, Vance expressed interest in joining the discussions.
What’s Next
Greenland officials say they hope residents will have a voice in any decisions about their future. Nathanielsen acknowledged they have limited information about specific U.S. proposals beyond media reports.
The talks represent a critical test of whether diplomatic engagement can resolve Trump’s territorial ambitions without fracturing NATO unity.
