Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that the United States could be permitted to increase its military presence in Greenland, as she reaffirmed that the Danish-governed territory is not for sale.
Speaking ahead of a European Union meeting in Brussels, Frederiksen acknowledged the growing strategic importance of the Arctic region and the potential for larger security cooperation with the US.
“I totally agree with the Americans that the High North, the Arctic region, is becoming more and more important when we are talking about defence and security and deterrence,” Frederiksen said. “And it is possible to find a way to ensure stronger footprints in Greenland.”
Frederiksen, however, repeated that the territory is “not for sale.”
Her remarks come amid renewed pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration to explore a deal in which the US would acquire Greenland. Trump has long maintained that the territory holds significant strategic value for national security, particularly as Russia and China work to expand their presence in the Arctic. Greenland is also believed to be rich in natural resources.
Currently, the US maintains a military base in Greenland that monitors space and detects missile threats. Frederiksen indicated that American forces could expand their role in the region, telling reporters that the US “can have more possibilities,” according to The Telegraph. She also noted that Denmark and NATO are considering a greater Arctic presence.
“So if this is about securing our part of the world, we can find a way forward,” she said.
Prior to the EU meeting, Vice President JD Vance reaffirmed that the administration still views acquiring Greenland as a viable option.
“It’s really important to our national security. There are sea lanes there that the Chinese use, that the Russians use, that frankly, Denmark, which controls Greenland, it’s not doing its job and it’s not being a good ally,” Vance told Fox News. “So you have to ask yourself, how are we going to solve that problem, solve our own national security? If that means that we need to take more territorial interest in Greenland, that is what President Trump is going to do, because he doesn’t care what the Europeans scream at us.”
Frederiksen pushed back against Vance’s remarks and defended Denmark’s alliance with the US.
“We have fought side by side with the Americans for many, many decades,” she responded. “I will not accept the notion that Denmark is a bad ally. We are not, we have not been, and we will not be in the future.”
