The foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, recently convened at the White House for a significant meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The discussions, initiated at the request of the Danish and Greenlandic representatives, aimed to address and clarify recent tensions stemming from former President Trump’s assertive remarks towards Denmark, a fellow NATO ally.

Following the White House meeting, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen assured reporters that the idea of the U.S. acquiring Greenland is “completely unnecessary.” His comments came as part of a broader appeal for cooperative and respectful dialogue between the U.S. and Denmark regarding Greenland’s future.

Rasmussen emphasized the importance of maintaining a respectful partnership, underscoring that Denmark, a loyal ally, has shared sacrifices with the U.S. in conflicts such as Afghanistan and Iraq. “We couldn’t sway the American stance,” he admitted, “but we made it unequivocally clear that any ambition to acquire Greenland is contrary to the interests of our kingdom.”

The discussions around Greenland’s status are particularly sensitive for both Greenlandic and Danish citizens, reflecting the deep emotional and historical ties they have with the territory. The meeting was an essential step in addressing these concerns and reinforcing the strength and unity within the NATO alliance.

“We didn’t manage to change the American position. It’s clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland. And we made it very, very clear that this is not in the interest of the kingdom,” Løkke told reporters.

He said the issue was “very emotional” for the people of Greenland and Denmark, a steadfast US ally whose troops died alongside Americans in Afghanistan and, controversially, Iraq.

Referring to the British prime minister who trumpeted his diplomacy with Hitler, Løkke said, “I am not a Chamberlain to say “Peace for our time,” but we must seize the opportunities that present themselves.”

Two dogsleds or $14 billion?

Neither country has claimed Greenland, and Løkke said no Chinese ship had been spotted there in a decade and that there were no major Chinese investments.

Trump has derided recent Danish efforts to increase security for Greenland as amounting to “two dogsleds.” Denmark says it has invested almost US$14 billion in Arctic security.

NATO boosts military presence around Greenland

In a social media post just hours before the meeting between Vance and the foreign ministers, Trump said Greenland was “vital for the Golden Dome that we are building”.