Denmark reasserts Greenland sovereignty as Trump claims ‘total access’

Denmark has firmly rejected US attempts to assert control over Greenland, insisting its sovereignty is non-negotiable despite President Donald's Trump’s claims of a “framework of a future deal” allegedly granting the US full military access to the Arctic territory.

“We cannot negotiate on our sovereignty,” Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stressed Thursday, even as Trump touted in a Fox Business interview that the US would gain “all the military access we want” and could install elements of his “Golden Dome” missile defense system there in the island.

“We’re going to have total access to Greenland,” Trump stressed.

Trump had earlier threatened tariffs against eight European nations to pressure control over the semiautonomous territory, only to abruptly reverse course, claiming he sought the island “including right, title and ownership” without using force.

Frederiksen emphasized that Arctic security discussions must respect Denmark’s “territorial integrity”, noting that NATO is aware Denmark negotiates only on political, security, investment, and economic issues, but decisions about Denmark and Greenland remain exclusively their prerogative.

Copenhagen has allowed Washington to expand military bases under a 1951 treaty, yet any further arrangements must be agreed upon by both Denmark and Greenland.

Skepticism over Trump’s sudden pivot was widespread among Danes, with Copenhagen residents voicing distrust, insisting Greenland’s future should be decided by Greenlanders, not Trump.

“I don’t really trust anything Mr. Trump is saying,” said a 70-year-old Greenlander, highlighting public fears of US overreach.

European allies, including Germany, reaffirmed support for Denmark’s sovereignty while calling for stronger NATO Arctic security against Russia and China, stressing that the trans-Atlantic partnership must uphold territorial integrity.

Frederiksen’s diplomatic efforts continued with visits to the United Kingdom and discussions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Both leaders emphasized steps to strengthen Arctic security while noting Trump’s withdrawal of tariff threats as a rare display of “pragmatism.”

“It is still a difficult and serious situation, but progress has also been made in the sense that we have now got things where they need to be. Namely that we can discuss how we promote common security in the Arctic region,” Frederiksen said.

Meanwhile, Denmark’s parliament and NATO officials indicated a desire for a permanent Arctic surveillance mission, signaling a firm commitment to resist US attempts at unilateral control.

Greenland, world’s largest island, is a self-governing territory with its own parliament and government, responsible for most domestic affairs. However, Denmark retains control over foreign policy, defense, and monetary policy, and represents Greenland internationally.

Greenlanders are Danish citizens, but the territory has the right to self-determination and can choose independence through a democratic process.

Trump wants to take control of Greenland because of its strategic military location in the Arctic, its growing importance in great-power competition with Russia and China, and its vast untapped natural resources, including rare earth minerals.

Addressing the issue for the first time in public, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Greenland's ownership was not Russia's concern, while China's foreign ministry said on Thursday that “the so-called China threat” to Greenland was groundless.

A 1951 US-Denmark agreement allows the US to build military bases and operate freely in Greenland, provided Denmark and Greenland are notified.

‘Enough Is Enough’: Ex-NATO chief slams Trump’s Greenland threats, calls for EU economic retaliation

A former NATO chief has slammed Trump’s Greenland threats, calling for a hard European response.

Trump’s claim on Thursday that he had secured total and permanent US access to Greenland through a deal with NATO came as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said allies must step up Arctic security to counter Russia and China.

Trump’s announcement followed his retreat on tariff threats and ruling out taking Greenland by force, easing tensions temporarily in what had threatened to become the largest rupture in transatlantic relations in decades.

“It's really being negotiated now, the details of it. But essentially it's total access. It's - there's no end, there's no time limit,” Trump further told Fox Business from Davos.

The Danish foreign ministry had not immediately responded to Trump’s statements, and experts warned that his U-turn may have already caused damage to transatlantic ties and business confidence.

Rutte further said that senior NATO commanders would work out the specifics of extra security measures, noting, “I have no doubt we can do this quite fast. Certainly I would hope for 2026, I hope even early in 2026.”

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