‘Fundamental disagreement’: No breakthrough in Greenland talks? Who said what after high-stakes meeting

A senior Danish official said on Wednesday that a “fundamental disagreement” over Greenland persists with US president Donald Trump, following closely watched talks at the White House with vice president JD Vance and secretary of state Marco Rubio.

While the discussions failed to produce a breakthrough, both sides agreed to set up a working group to explore ways to manage their differences.


“The group, in our view, should focus on how to address the American security concerns, while at the same time respecting the red lines of the Kingdom of Denmark,” Danish foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen told reporters after holding talks alongside Greenland’s foreign minister, Vivian Motzfeldt.

He added that it remains “clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland.”

Both Rasmussen and Motzfeldt struck a cautiously hopeful tone, suggesting the talks could open a dialogue that might lead US president Donald Trump to drop his demand and pave the way for closer cooperation with the United States.

“We have shown where our limits are, and from there, I think that it will be very good to look forward,” Motzfeldt said, as cited by AP.

The meeting came amid renewed tensions after Trump reiterated that anything short of full US control of Greenland was “unacceptable.”

The semi-autonomous territory belongs to Nato ally Denmark, even as several Nato countries have announced plans to deploy troops to the strategically important Arctic region.

The US president, who did not attend Wednesday’s meeting, told reporters he remains committed to acquiring the territory.

Trump last month appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland. While Landry was not present at the talks, his spokesperson said he is scheduled to travel to Washington on Thursday and Friday for meetings that will include discussions on Greenland.

Ahead of the meeting, Trump took to social media to argue that “Nato should be leading the way” for the United States to acquire the territory.

Meanwhile, more Nato troops are set to deploy to Greenland, the Arctic island’s deputy prime minister said on Wednesday.

“Soldiers of Nato are expected to be more present in Greenland from today and in the coming days. It is expected that there will be more military flights and ships,” Mute Egede told a news conference, adding that the activities would involve “training.”

France, Germany and several Nordic countries earlier announced their participation in a European military mission to Greenland.