Officials from Greenland and Denmark met with the White House on Wednesday to discuss the future of Greenland. Both sides left the meeting firm in their positions, with Danish officials saying they would “agree to disagree” with the U.S.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said the U.S. and Denmark still have a “fundamental disagreement” over Greenland. He added that the meeting was “productive” and that discussions at a high level are necessary.
Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt said, “We have shown where our limits are,” and stressed that it is in everyone’s interest to find the right path forward.
President Donald Trump, speaking after the meeting, repeated his stance that Denmark cannot properly defend Greenland from Russia or China. He told reporters, “We’ll see how it all works out. I think it will all work out.”
Trump has repeatedly threatened to seize Greenland and has suggested that military action could be used. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio represented the U.S. at Wednesday’s meeting, as Trump was not present.
Earlier in the day, Trump posted on Truth Social that anything less than U.S. control of Greenland would be “unacceptable,” warning that China or Russia could gain influence if the U.S. does not act.
Danish and Greenlandic officials acknowledged new security concerns in the Arctic caused by melting ice and increased interest in Greenland’s natural resources. However, they rejected Trump’s claims that Chinese and Russian warships are circling the island as “not a true narrative.”
The European Parliament condemned Trump’s statements, saying any attempt to undermine Greenland’s sovereignty violates international law and the United Nations Charter. Greenland and Denmark have resisted U.S. advances since Trump first suggested buying the island in 2019.