Denmark and U.S. discuss Arctic security, Greenland's future
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had a phone conversation with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday concerning the security of Greenland and the Arctic, reported the office of the Danish leader. This marked their first conversation since Trump's controversial remarks about Greenland.
According to Frederiksen's office, the discussion with Trump lasted 45 minutes. During their conversation, the Danish Prime Minister conveyed that Denmark is ready to take even greater responsibility for Greenland and Arctic security. She also reaffirmed Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede's statement that the island, currently a dependency of Denmark, is not for sale, and that Greenland will independently determine its sovereignty.
Frederiksen also highlighted the role of Danish companies in contributing to economic growth and job creation in the USA. She assured Trump that the European Union and the United States share a common interest in strengthening trade relations. Their conversation also included discussions on Russia’s conflict in Ukraine and relations with China.
Denmark open to greater US military presence in Greenland
In a statement to the Danish public broadcaster DR, Frederiksen confirmed that the government in Copenhagen is open to an increased U.S. military presence in Greenland. She noted the existing 1951 U.S.-Danish agreement, which guarantees U.S. direct access to the island. She stressed that neither the United States nor European nations, including Denmark, support any involvement by countries like Russia in Greenland.
Greenland is home to the American air base Thule, which was renamed a Space Forces base in 2023.
This was the first conversation between Frederiksen and Trump after comments by the American President-elect suggested the possibility of acquiring Greenland. He did not rule out employing force or economic pressure against Denmark, such as tariffs, to pursue this interest.
