Denmark’s Foreign Minister said Thursday he was increasingly “optimistic” following the launch of technical talks with the United States on Greenland, according to AFP.
“We have had the very first meeting at senior official level in Washington yesterday regarding the Greenlandic issue,” Lars Lokke Rasmussen told journalists at an EU meeting in Brussels.
Trump has recently intensified his campaign to take control of Greenland from fellow NATO ally Denmark, warning of punitive tariffs against nations that oppose his attempts.
In response, the European Union began to consider retaliatory measures, sparking concerns over a fresh transatlantic trade clash.
“We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it,” Trump said in response to a reporter’s question.
However, he has dropped his threats to impose 10% tariffs on allies resisting his Greenland ambitions following a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
“It went well in a very constructive atmosphere and tone, and new meetings are planned. It’s not that things are solved, but it’s good,” Rasmussen added.
Greenland represents an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
Through its own parliament and administration, the island governs itself, while Copenhagen continues to oversee foreign affairs and defense.
“There was a major detour. Things were escalating, but now we are back on track,” Rasmussen said. “I’m slightly more optimistic today than a week ago.”
As part of the compromise with Washington, NATO is anticipated to intensify its presence in the Arctic, while Denmark and Greenland may move to renegotiate the 1951 treaty regarding U.S. troop deployments.
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