Danish Foreign Minister Says Trump Still Pursues Visions for Greenland
Brussels, 09 April 2026 – Denmark’s Acting Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Thursday that US President Donald Trump has not abandoned his ambitions for Greenland, following Trump’s social media post calling the territory a “big, poorly managed piece of ice” and criticizing NATO.
No Intent to Escalate
Rasmussen told Danish broadcaster DR that he does not intend to escalate tensions in response to Trump’s comments.
“I have no interest in escalating a conflict by expressing my honest opinion about the way those words are used,” Rasmussen said. He added that it remains clear Trump continues to pursue “his visions for Greenland” and emphasized, “It is our job to ensure that they are not realized.”
Ongoing Cooperation
Rasmussen noted that a working group established after his recent visit to Washington, alongside Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt, continues to make progress. He stressed that the US remains “a close ally.”
US Interest in Greenland
Trump has repeatedly suggested US control over Greenland, citing national security concerns related to Russia and China. He previously warned of potential sanctions against European countries opposing the proposal.
Those threats were later softened following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum in January. During that meeting, both sides outlined a framework for potential cooperation on Greenland and the broader Arctic region, paving the way for ongoing discussions between the US, Denmark, and Greenland.
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