Diplomatic representatives of Denmark and Greenland in the U.S. have launched proactive efforts, meeting with senior White House officials and members of the U.S. Congress to pressure the American government to halt Trump's plan to seize Greenland.
A source from the Danish government stated that Jesper Møller Sørensen, Danish ambassador to Washington, and Jacob Isbosettsen, Greenland's top representative in the U.S., met with National Security Council officials at the White House on Thursday, 8 January, to discuss Trump's revived idea of buying or seizing Greenland, including the possibility of using military force.
Besides meeting with administration officials, Danish and Greenland representatives also met several U.S. Congress members throughout the week to seek support in persuading Trump to end his aggressive stance on Greenland.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet with Danish government officials next week, an event closely watched as a potentially crucial forum to ease diplomatic tensions.
Previously, Trump told The New York Times that the U.S. should own Greenland outright rather than rely on existing treaties, stating that ownership would provide powers and capabilities never available through mere leasing or treaties.
Currently, the U.S. and Denmark have a treaty from 1951 allowing the U.S. to establish military bases in Greenland, requiring consent from both Denmark and Greenland's local government.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has supported Trump's position, calling on European leaders to take the U.S. president's words seriously and pointing out that the Greenland issue is directly related to security.
The Danish government expressed hope for talks with the U.S., with Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stating that the discussions with Rubio are necessary and initiated jointly by the Danish and Greenland governments.
Greenland, over 80% of whose area lies north of the Arctic Circle, has about 56,000 residents, mostly indigenous Inuit, and is viewed as a key strategic point amid the global powers' competition for influence in the Arctic region.
Source:channelnewsasia
Click to read news about Greenland