Greenland suggests separate U.S. talks without Denmark

Greenland’s foreign minister is pushing for direct talks with the U.S. without Denmark, highlighting a major power struggle within the Danish kingdom over its relationship with Washington.

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Greenland’s foreign minister is pushing for direct talks with the U.S. without Denmark, highlighting a major power struggle within the Danish kingdom over its relationship with Washington.

Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt asserted on Friday to Danish broadcaster DR that the island nation, rich in resources, should lead any forthcoming talks with the United States. This comes as U.S. officials are actively pursuing closer ties and engagement with Greenland.

“From our side, it is clear that Greenland needs the U.S., and that the U.S. needs Greenland,” Motzfeldt said. “That responsibility must be taken seriously. What would be wrong with us holding meetings with the U.S. alone?”

Her comments precede a planned meeting next week between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Denmark’s foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, and Motzfeldt. The talks are expected to be the first substantive three-way meeting since U.S. President Donald Trump renewed interest in Greenland and its strategic Arctic role.

Denmark is constitutionally responsible for Greenland’s foreign and security policy, even though the island governs most domestic matters. Danish officials worry that Washington is increasingly trying to deal directly with Nuuk, potentially sidelining Copenhagen.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada supports Denmark’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including Greenland.

“Greenland’s future is a decision for Greenland and for Denmark exclusively,” Carney told reporters in Paris on Tuesday.

Carney reiterated that position in a phone call Thursday with German Chancellor Friderich Merz, according to a readout from the Prime Minister’s Office.

The two leaders discussed Euro-Atlantic security and shared support for Denmark’s sovereignty, including Greenland, which they said must be respected in accordance with international law.

Both leaders stressed the importance of investing in Arctic security as NATO’s western flank.

Motzfeldt acknowledged that Denmark would take part in next week’s meeting but argued Greenland should also be free to engage independently.

“Greenland and Denmark have some common values and policies that both countries stand for,” she said, adding that this should allow Greenland to meet on its own with other countries. She noted that while Greenland has ambitions of statehood and eventually conducting its own foreign policy, it remains bound by existing legal frameworks.

The remarks reflect broader political pressure within Greenland to assert greater autonomy on the international stage. Some politicians have urged the government to negotiate directly with Washington on economic and security matters.

Tensions were further exposed this week during a video meeting between the foreign affairs committees of the Danish and Greenlandic parliaments, which ended in disagreement, according to Danish media.

Pipaluk Lynge, who represents a party in the governing coalition, criticized Danish lawmakers for discussing Greenland without its politicians fully participating.

“It is a neocolonial way of excluding us,” Lynge said during the call, according to DR.

Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. While most Greenlanders support independence in principle, many favour delaying it until the economy is strong enough to function without Denmark’s annual subsidy, estimated at about $700 million, according to opinion polls.