Denmark’s Prime Minister: Greenland Sovereignty “Non-Negotiable” Despite Trump’s Deal Claims

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has firmly stated that Denmark will not negotiate its sovereignty over Greenland, despite President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of a “framework” deal regarding the Arctic territory.

In a carefully worded statement released Wednesday, Frederiksen emphasized that while Denmark is open to security discussions with allies, any engagement must respect the nation’s “territorial integrity.”

“Security in the Arctic is a matter for the entire NATO alliance. Therefore, it is good and natural that it is also discussed between NATO’s Secretary General and the President of the United States,” Frederiksen noted in the statement, which was issued in Danish.

The prime minister went on to draw a clear distinction between areas where negotiation is possible and where it is not. “We can negotiate on everything political; security, investments, economy. But we cannot negotiate on our sovereignty,” she asserted.

The diplomatic standoff comes after Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that following “a very productive meeting” with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, they had “formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region.”

Trump added that based on this understanding, he would not impose tariffs that had been scheduled to take effect on February 1, suggesting the threat of economic penalties had been part of his negotiating strategy.

The status of Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory of immense strategic importance in the Arctic, has become a focal point of geopolitical tension as climate change opens new shipping routes and access to valuable natural resources. With approximately 56,000 residents spread across the world’s largest island, Greenland has increasingly attracted international attention for its mineral wealth and strategic location.

Frederiksen’s statement emphasized that “only Denmark and Greenland themselves can make decisions on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland.” She added that Denmark wishes to “continue to engage in a constructive dialogue with allies on how we can strengthen security in the Arctic, including the US’s Golden Dome, provided that this is done with respect for our territorial integrity.”

The reference to the “Golden Dome” relates to the Thule Air Base in Greenland, America’s northernmost military installation and a crucial component of U.S. missile defense systems. The base, operating under a 1951 defense agreement, has been a longstanding element of U.S.-Danish security cooperation.

Trump’s interest in Greenland is not new. During his first administration, he famously explored the possibility of purchasing the territory from Denmark, an idea Frederiksen dismissed at the time as “absurd,” causing a brief diplomatic rift.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Thursday, Trump appeared to temper expectations about his Greenland ambitions, stating he would not use force to acquire the territory. “We probably won’t get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force, where we would be frankly unstoppable. But, I won’t do that,” he said.

Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen cautiously acknowledged Trump’s statements in a post on X, saying, “We welcome that POTUS has ruled out to take Greenland by force and paused the trade war. Now, let’s sit down and find out how we can address the American security concerns in the Arctic while respecting the red lines of the Kingdom of Denmark.”

The diplomatic exchange highlights the complex interplay of sovereignty issues, security concerns, and economic interests in the rapidly changing Arctic region. As climate change transforms the landscape and accessibility of the area, competition among global powers for influence and resources continues to intensify.

For Denmark, maintaining sovereignty over Greenland represents both a matter of national pride and strategic interest, while for the U.S., expanding its presence in the Arctic has become increasingly important in light of growing Russian and Chinese activities in the region.