Denmark and US at Odds Over Greenland After White House Talks
WASHINGTON - Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said Wednesday that a "fundamental disagreement" remains with the United States, specifically with President Donald Trump, regarding Greenland, following discussions at the White House. The talks, which included Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, were described as "frank but constructive," according to Rasmussen.
The core of the disagreement stems from President Trump's continued interest in acquiring Greenland. Rasmussen stated that Trump was insisting on "conquering" Greenland, which he deemed "totally unacceptable." He emphasized, "We made it very, very clear that this is not in the interest of Denmark," according to the BBC.
The meeting, held on Wednesday, prompted both sides to agree on the creation of a working group. According to NPR, this group will be tasked with exploring ways to navigate the existing differences between the two nations.
The issue of Greenland's status has been a point of contention between Denmark and the U.S. Previously, President Trump had expressed interest in purchasing the autonomous Danish territory, sparking controversy and pushback from Danish officials. Greenland is a self-governing region within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Denmark retaining control over foreign affairs and defense.
Rasmussen and Greenland's Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt held a news conference at the Embassy of Denmark in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, further highlighting the importance of the discussions.
While the specific details of the working group's mandate remain unclear, its creation signals an attempt to find common ground despite the existing disagreements. The future of U.S.-Danish relations, particularly concerning Greenland, will likely depend on the progress and outcomes of this collaborative effort.
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