Denmark’s foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, said the first senior-level technical talks in Washington with the U.S. over Greenland were "very constructive" and left him "more optimistic." The discussions follow President Trump’s high-profile push for greater American influence in Greenland and his claim of a "framework" with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. U.S. special envoy Jeff Landry outlined a defence-focused framework in an op-ed, while Denmark and Greenland insist sovereignty is not negotiable. King Frederik X will visit Greenland on February 18 to express support for the island’s residents.
Denmark Says First Senior-Level Talks With US Over Greenland Were "Very Constructive"
President Trump has said Greenland is essential for the US's security (Ina FASSBENDER)(Ina FASSBENDER/AFP/AFP)
Denmark's foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, said he felt "more optimistic" after the first senior-level technical talks with the United States over Greenland were held in Washington. Rasmussen described the session as constructive and said additional meetings are planned, though he cautioned that no final agreements have been reached.
Talks and Context
The trilateral discussions — involving the United States, Denmark and representatives for Greenland — follow a diplomatic spike in tension after President Donald Trump publicly floated the idea of stronger U.S. control or influence over Greenland. Trump said he had reached a "framework" understanding with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to advance American interests in the Arctic, a claim that prompted concern in Copenhagen and Nuuk.
"There was a major detour. Things were escalating, but now we are back on track," Rasmussen said, adding: "I'm slightly more optimistic today than a week ago."
Defence Proposals and Responses
Jeff Landry, the Louisiana governor named by the White House as a special envoy for Greenland, wrote in a New York Times op-ed that negotiators are "working out" a framework that would build on mid-20th-century defence agreements between the U.S. and Denmark (notably 1941 and 1951). He argued the arrangement would broaden U.S. operational freedom in the Arctic, support additional bases and infrastructure, and enable deployment of advanced missile-defence systems — measures he said would also counter influence from China and Russia.
Danish and Greenlandic officials have been clear that sovereignty is not for sale: both governments rejected any suggestion of transferring formal control of the territory.
Political Reactions and Royal Visit
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio expressed optimism about the negotiations, saying a "good outcome" was possible as talks begin. Rasmussen emphasised Denmark shares U.S. security concerns about the Arctic and wants to address them through close cooperation.
The Danish royal household announced that King Frederik X will travel to Greenland on February 18 to demonstrate solidarity with the island’s residents. Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has a population of roughly 57,000 and is increasingly seen as strategically important as Arctic access becomes more contested.
What Comes Next
Officials said future meetings will further explore how to balance security cooperation with respect for Greenlandic autonomy. Any formal changes to defence arrangements would require detailed negotiations and the agreement of all parties involved.
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