11th January 2025 – (Copenhagen) Denmark has reportedly sent private communications to the team of United States President-elect Donald Trump, indicating a readiness to discuss enhancing security in Greenland, including the possibility of increasing the U.S. military presence there, without asserting ownership over the island. This information comes from Axios, which cited two sources on Saturday, 11th January.
Trump, set to take office on 20th January, has previously described U.S. control over Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, as an “absolute necessity.” He has not ruled out the use of military or economic measures, including tariffs against Denmark, to pursue his aims.
According to Axios, the Danish government aims to reassure Trump that his security concerns regarding Greenland can be adequately addressed without the need for territorial claims.
A spokesperson for Trump’s transition team did not respond to requests for comments on the Axios report.
Earlier this week, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen revealed she had requested a meeting with Trump but did not anticipate it occurring before his inauguration. Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede also expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with Trump, while emphasising the importance of respecting the island’s aspirations for independence.
Denmark has consistently maintained that Greenland is not for sale.