Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen travels to Greenland to ‘show support’

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is visiting the Greenland capital Nuuk for talks with the territory’s leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen, after a roller coaster week in which US President Donald Trump withdrew his threat to forcibly take over the Arctic island and agreed to further talks.

Tensions had been running high for weeks until, in a stunning turn on Wednesday, Trump suddenly ruled out military action and withdrew his threat to impose tariffs on several European allies.

After meeting with NATO chief Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump posted on social media that a “framework for a future agreement on Greenland” had been reached.

Details are scarce, however, and there are questions about what exactly was agreed between the US president and secretary-general.

The Danish prime minister traveled directly from Brussels, where she had met face-to-face with Rutte earlier on Friday morning. According to Rutte’s post on X, they agreed to “strengthen deterrence and defense in the Arctic.”

After landing at Nuuk Airport, Nielsen met Frederiksen on the tarmac and gave her a hug.

“I came to Greenland today first and foremost to express Denmark’s unwavering support for the people of Greenland,” she told reporters. “This is a very difficult time and everyone can see that.”

“The situation we are in is very serious. Everyone can see that. Now we will pursue a diplomatic, political track,” she said. She said her trip was a “working” visit to prepare for their “next steps.”

Trump on Thursday told fox news The United States “gets everything we want at no cost” and that “part” of his planned Golden Dome missile defense system will be deployed in Greenland.

When asked if this was a true “acquisition,” he responded: “It’s total access. No end, no time limit.”

The New York Times previously reported that one idea being discussed was Denmark gives up sovereignty over small piece of land The United States will establish a military base there.

Danish and Greenlandic officials have strongly opposed relinquishing any form of ownership and have repeatedly said sovereignty is a “red line.”

Ahead of an emergency European summit in the Belgian capital on Thursday night, Frederiksen said Greenland’s sovereignty was non-negotiable despite Denmark’s willingness to work on “security” issues.

The United States has about 150 military personnel at a Pitufik base on the northwest tip of the territory.

Under a 1951 defense agreement with Denmark, the United States has been able to strengthen its military presence and deploy more troops.

In 2004, the agreement was updated with the Bush administration to include Greenland as an equal partner in the agreement.

Agence France-Presse reported that sources familiar with the negotiations said the United States and Denmark would renegotiate the 1951 agreement.

The Danish national newspaper “Berlingske” also wrote an article saying that renegotiation is possible and that both Denmark and Greenland do not rule out the possibility of modifying the agreement. However, mineral rights or the surrender of territory were never on the table.

The BBC has contacted the Danish Ministry of Defense but it declined to comment.

Meanwhile, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lok Rasmussen said on Friday that there were no detailed plans yet but that negotiations would begin soon with a focus on “security, security, security.”