Denmark Reinforces Greenland Sovereignty Amid Trump’s ‘Total Access’ Assertions

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen firmly stated on Thursday that the country’s sovereignty is not up for negotiation. Meanwhile, in a Fox Business interview, Trump suggested that the United States would secure “all the military access we want” and could potentially deploy components of the “Golden Dome” missile defense system on the island.

Trump emphasized, “We will have complete access to Greenland.”

Trump had initially threatened to impose tariffs on eight European countries in a bid to exert influence over the semiautonomous region. However, he unexpectedly shifted his stance, asserting that he aimed to acquire the island “including right, title and ownership” without resorting to force.

Frederiksen underscored the importance of respecting Denmark’s “territorial integrity” in Arctic security dialogues, highlighting that while NATO is cognizant of Denmark’s role in negotiating political, security, investment, and economic matters, any decisions concerning Denmark and Greenland rest solely within their jurisdiction.

Copenhagen has authorized Washington to enhance military bases based on a 1951 treaty; however, any additional agreements require mutual consent from both Denmark and Greenland.

Skepticism regarding Trump’s abrupt change of stance was pervasive among Danes, as residents of Copenhagen expressed their mistrust, asserting that the future of Greenland should be determined by Greenlanders themselves, rather than by Trump.

A 70-year-old resident of Greenland expressed skepticism towards Trump’s statements, underscoring public concerns about potential U.S. overreach.

European allies, notably Germany, have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Denmark’s sovereignty while advocating for enhanced NATO security measures in the Arctic region to counteract potential threats from Russia and China. They emphasized the importance of the trans-Atlantic partnership in maintaining territorial integrity.

Denmark’s diplomatic endeavors persisted with Frederiksen visiting the United Kingdom, engaging in talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The discussions highlighted measures to bolster Arctic security, while they also noted Trump’s withdrawal of tariff threats, describing it as an uncommon instance of “pragmatism.”

The situation remains challenging and serious, but significant progress has been achieved as we have reached a point where discussions on advancing common security in the Arctic region are now possible, Frederiksen stated.

In a significant development, Denmark’s parliament and NATO officials have expressed their intention to establish a permanent Arctic surveillance mission. This move underscores a strong commitment to counter any unilateral control attempts from the United States in the region.

Greenland, recognized as the world’s largest island, operates as a self-governing territory with its own parliament and government managing the majority of its domestic issues. Nonetheless, Denmark maintains authority over foreign policy, defense, and monetary matters, and acts as Greenland’s representative on the international stage.

Greenlanders hold Danish citizenship, yet the territory possesses the right to pursue self-determination. It retains the option to opt for independence through a democratic process.

Trump is reportedly interested in acquiring Greenland due to its strategic military significance in the Arctic region, as well as its escalating role in the global power struggle involving Russia and China. The territory’s abundant untapped natural resources, particularly rare earth minerals, further contribute to its appeal.

In a public statement addressing the matter for the first time, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that the ownership of Greenland is not a matter of concern for Russia. In a related development, China’s foreign ministry on Thursday dismissed allegations of a “China threat” to Greenland as baseless.

A 1951 agreement between the United States and Denmark grants the U.S. the authority to establish military bases and conduct operations in Greenland, under the condition that Denmark and Greenland are duly informed.

On Thursday, Trump proclaimed that he had achieved a comprehensive and lasting agreement for US access to Greenland in a deal involving NATO. This announcement coincided with remarks from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who emphasized the necessity for allies to enhance Arctic security in response to the strategic challenges posed by Russia and China.

Trump’s announcement came on the heels of his decision to back down from tariff threats and to remove the prospect of acquiring Greenland by force, providing a temporary reprieve in what could have escalated into the most significant strain in transatlantic relations in years.

In an interview with Fox Business from Davos, Trump stated that negotiations are ongoing regarding the specifics. However, the core agreement provides complete access without any restrictions or time limits.

The Danish Foreign Ministry has yet to offer a direct response to Trump’s remarks. Meanwhile, experts have cautioned that this sudden reversal could potentially harm transatlantic relations and undermine business confidence.

Rutte stated that senior NATO commanders will detail the specifics of additional security measures, expressing confidence that these plans can be executed swiftly. He conveyed hope for completion by 2026, ideally in the early part of that year.