NUUK, Greenland — Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen arrived in Greenland’s capital Nuuk on Friday for talks with the territory’s leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, following a turbulent week marked by a de-escalation in tensions with the United States over the Arctic island. The visit comes after U.S. President Donald Trump reversed earlier threats to use force to take control of Greenland and withdrew plans to impose tariffs on several European allies, agreeing instead to pursue further negotiations. **media[2651591]** Trump said on social media that a “framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland” had been reached following his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Frederiksen traveled to Nuuk directly from Brussels, where she met Rutte earlier Friday. In a post on X, Rutte said they agreed “to enhance deterrence and defence in the Arctic.” Upon landing at Nuuk airport, Frederiksen was welcomed by Nielsen, who greeted her on the tarmac. **media[2651593]** “I am first and foremost in Greenland today to show our strong Danish support for the Greenlandic people,” Frederiksen told reporters. “It’s a very difficult time. Everyone can see that.” She described the situation as serious and said Denmark would pursue a diplomatic and political path. The trip, she said, was a working visit aimed at preparing “next steps.” **media[2651592]** On Thursday, Trump told Fox News that the United States would “get everything we want at no cost” and said part of his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system would be placed on Greenland. Asked whether this amounted to an acquisition, he said it meant “total access,” without mentioning U.S. ownership of the territory. Greenlandic lawmaker Aaja Chemnitz cautioned that rebuilding trust would take time. “I think it’s too early to lower our shoulder,” she said. “Many people are confused and concerned.” Trump earlier told CNBC that an “ultimate long-term deal” over Greenland would involve “security and minerals, and everything else.” Chemnitz rejected that framing, saying mineral resources fall under Greenland’s legal authority. “MInerals haven’t been discussed with NATO,” she said. “This is completely up to Greenland.” Another former Danish foreign minister, Per Stig Møller, said the situation remained delicate and could still shift. “That’s why it’s very important that we insist it all happens inside NATO,” he said. The New York Times has reported that one idea discussed involved Denmark ceding small areas of land for U.S. military bases, but Danish and Greenlandic officials have rejected any transfer of sovereignty, calling it a red line. Frederiksen has said Greenland’s sovereignty is non-negotiable, though Denmark is willing to cooperate on security. Trump has argued that U.S. control of Greenland is necessary for American security amid growing Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic. The United States currently has about 150 military personnel at its Pituffik base in northwestern Greenland. A 1951 defense agreement with Denmark allows Washington to expand its military presence, an arrangement updated in 2004 to include Greenland as an equal partner. AFP and Danish media have reported that the agreement could be renegotiated, though officials have ruled out discussions on mineral rights or territorial concessions. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said Friday there was no detailed plan yet but that talks would begin soon, focusing on “security, security, and security.”NUUK, Greenland — Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen arrived in Greenland’s capital Nuuk on Friday for talks with the territory’s leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, following a turbulent week marked by a de-escalation in tensions with the United States over the Arctic island. The visit comes after U.S. President Donald Trump reversed earlier threats to use force to take control of Greenland and withdrew plans to impose tariffs on several European allies, agreeing instead to pursue further negotiations. **media[2651591]** Trump said on social media that a “framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland” had been reached following his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Frederiksen traveled to Nuuk directly from Brussels, where she met Rutte earlier Friday. In a post on X, Rutte said they agreed “to enhance deterrence and defence in the Arctic.” Upon landing at Nuuk airport, Frederiksen was welcomed by Nielsen, who greeted her on the tarmac. **media[2651593]** “I am first and foremost in Greenland today to show our strong Danish support for the Greenlandic people,” Frederiksen told reporters. “It’s a very difficult time. Everyone can see that.” She described the situation as serious and said Denmark would pursue a diplomatic and political path. The trip, she said, was a working visit aimed at preparing “next steps.” **media[2651592]** On Thursday, Trump told Fox News that the United States would “get everything we want at no cost” and said part of his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system would be placed on Greenland. Asked whether this amounted to an acquisition, he said it meant “total access,” without mentioning U.S. ownership of the territory. Greenlandic lawmaker Aaja Chemnitz cautioned that rebuilding trust would take time. “I think it’s too early to lower our shoulder,” she said. “Many people are confused and concerned.” Trump earlier told CNBC that an “ultimate long-term deal” over Greenland would involve “security and minerals, and everything else.” Chemnitz rejected that framing, saying mineral resources fall under Greenland’s legal authority. “MInerals haven’t been discussed with NATO,” she said. “This is completely up to Greenland.” Another former Danish foreign minister, Per Stig Møller, said the situation remained delicate and could still shift. “That’s why it’s very important that we insist it all happens inside NATO,” he said. The New York Times has reported that one idea discussed involved Denmark ceding small areas of land for U.S. military bases, but Danish and Greenlandic officials have rejected any transfer of sovereignty, calling it a red line. Frederiksen has said Greenland’s sovereignty is non-negotiable, though Denmark is willing to cooperate on security. Trump has argued that U.S. control of Greenland is necessary for American security amid growing Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic. The United States currently has about 150 military personnel at its Pituffik base in northwestern Greenland. A 1951 defense agreement with Denmark allows Washington to expand its military presence, an arrangement updated in 2004 to include Greenland as an equal partner. AFP and Danish media have reported that the agreement could be renegotiated, though officials have ruled out discussions on mineral rights or territorial concessions. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said Friday there was no detailed plan yet but that talks would begin soon, focusing on “security, security, and security.”
Danish PM visits Greenland amid easing US tensions over Arctic island
