Title: Navigating Sovereignty and Security: Greenland and Denmark’s Foreign Ministers Engage with the Trump Administration, 2026
Abstract
This paper examines the high-profile diplomatic engagement between Greenlandic and Danish foreign ministers—Vivian Motzfeldt and Lars Løkke Rasmussen—and senior members of the incoming second administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, specifically Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on January 14, 2026. Occurring against the backdrop of renewed American territorial ambitions toward Greenland, the meeting marks a critical juncture in Arctic geopolitics and the sovereignty discourse of the Kingdom of Denmark. This article analyzes the political profiles of the Danish and Greenlandic ministers, the strategic implications of U.S. foreign policy under a re-elected Trump, and the broader ramifications for Nordic autonomy, Arctic governance, and international law. Through a comparative and historical lens, the paper argues that the meeting represents a watershed moment in the reassertion of Greenlandic agency within a colonial legacy, while also exposing vulnerabilities in the transatlantic security architecture.
- Introduction
On January 14, 2026, Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt and Denmark’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Copenhagen. The meeting, described by Danish analysts as “the most important in modern Danish history,” was convened in response to repeated public statements by President-elect Donald Trump during his 2025 campaign, in which he reiterated his desire to acquire Greenland for the United States. Trump’s 2019 attempt to purchase Greenland—a suggestion dismissed at the time as both diplomatically crude and legally untenable—has resurfaced with serious geopolitical consequences in his second term.
This paper investigates the significance of this diplomatic encounter by focusing on the profiles and political strategies of the two key figureheads representing the Kingdom of Denmark: Vivian Motzfeldt, Greenland’s first substantive Foreign Minister under its 2023 constitutional modernization, and Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Denmark’s seasoned foreign affairs minister and former Prime Minister. It explores the motivations behind the Trump administration’s renewed interest in Greenland, analyzes the diplomatic posture of Greenland and Denmark, and evaluates the implications for Arctic sovereignty, self-rule, and international norms.
- Historical Background: U.S. Interests in Greenland
Greenland’s strategic value has long been recognized by the United States. Since the establishment of Thule Air Base (now Pituffik Space Base) in 1951 under a bilateral defense agreement between Denmark and the U.S., Greenland has played a pivotal role in American Arctic defense, missile early-warning systems, and space surveillance. The base, located in northern Greenland, remains one of the U.S. military’s most critical installations for monitoring Russian intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) trajectories and near-space activities.
Despite this military presence, Greenland has remained an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. It attained Home Rule in 1979 and expanded self-governance in 2009, acquiring control over justice, policing, and natural resources. However, foreign policy and defense remain areas of shared authority, with Denmark traditionally acting as the sovereign representative in international affairs.
In 2019, President Donald Trump sparked international controversy when he publicly mused about purchasing Greenland. The comment was met with ridicule and rebuke from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who declared, “Greenland is not for sale.” Trump responded by canceling a state visit to Copenhagen, marking one of the more diplomatically fraught moments in modern U.S.-Danish relations.
- The 2026 Crisis: Renewed U.S. Territorial Ambitions
With Trump’s re-election in November 2025, his campaign rhetoric on Greenland regained traction. During campaign rallies and in interviews, Trump emphasized strategic competition with China and Russia in the Arctic, asserting that control over Greenland would prevent foreign influence and secure American dominance in the region. In a December 2025 speech, he invoked the Monroe Doctrine, stating: “The Arctic is the next frontier. We can’t let adversaries or outdated colonial structures stand in the way of American security.”
This rhetoric alarmed not only Denmark but the broader Nordic-Baltic security community. Satellite imagery released by the Arctic Monitoring Group in early January 2026 indicated a surge in U.S. military reconnaissance flights over northern Greenland, accompanied by unannounced naval movements near the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the island.
In this context, the January 14 meeting was framed as a crisis-management initiative by the Danish government to prevent further escalation and reaffirm the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark over Greenland.
- Who Are the Negotiators?
4.1. Vivian Motzfeldt: Greenland’s Foreign Minister and Advocate for Autonomous Diplomacy
Profile: Vivian Motzfeldt, born in 1972 in Narsaq, southern Greenland, is a member of the Siumut party, a social-democratic party historically central to Greenlandic self-rule. A former teacher and education minister, Motzfeldt rose to national prominence for her advocacy of Indigenous rights, gender equality, and economic diversification.
In 2023, following a constitutional amendment that allowed Greenland to establish its own Ministry of Foreign Affairs—albeit in coordination with Copenhagen—Motzfeldt was appointed as Greenland’s first formal Foreign Minister. This marked a significant evolution in the Home Rule model, signaling Greenland’s aspiration to play a direct role in international negotiations, especially concerning environment, trade, and resource policy.
Background and Political Philosophy:
Motzfeldt grew up in a sheep-farming family in the rugged terrain of southern Greenland. Her lived experience with rural subsistence economies informs her development policy. Known for her articulate, calm demeanor and fluency in Danish, English, and Kalaallisut, she represents a new generation of Greenlandic leaders seeking agency within the Danish realm.
Role in the 2026 Talks:
Motzfeldt’s presence at the meeting was symbolic and strategic. It underscored Greenland’s growing autonomy and its right to be a direct party in discussions affecting its territorial integrity. Unlike in 2019, when Greenland’s voice was largely channeled through Copenhagen, Motzfeldt’s inclusion demonstrated a shift in power dynamics within the Danish realm. Her prepared remarks emphasized Greenland’s “right to self-determination” and warned against “imperialist nostalgia” in foreign policy.
She stated: “Greenland is not a bargaining chip. We are a people with a history, a culture, and a democratic government. Any discussion about our future must include us—directly, equally, and with respect.”
4.2. Lars Løkke Rasmussen: Denmark’s Chief Diplomat and Constitutional Guardian
Profile: Lars Løkke Rasmussen, born in 1964, is a veteran of Danish politics, having served as Prime Minister from 2009–2011 and 2015–2019, and as Foreign Minister since December 2023. A member of the center-right Venstre party, Rasmussen is known for his pragmatic foreign policy, strong NATO stance, and experience in balancing European integration with national sovereignty.
Role in the 2026 Talks:
As Denmark’s top diplomat, Rasmussen led the formal negotiations with the Trump administration, emphasizing continuity in Danish foreign policy and the indivisibility of the Danish Realm. His approach combined firmness on sovereignty with openness to enhanced U.S.-Danish cooperation in science, climate monitoring, and Arctic security.
Rasmussen’s key message was one of alliance stewardship: “Denmark and the United States are allies. We welcome dialogue. But the sale or acquisition of sovereign territory is not on the table—now or ever.”
His participation reinforced Denmark’s constitutional responsibility for defense and foreign affairs while acknowledging Greenland’s enhanced role under the 2023 reforms.
- The U.S. Delegation: Vance, Rubio, and the New Nationalism
The U.S. side was represented by Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio—two figures emblematic of the ideological hardening within the Republican Party’s foreign policy wing.
JD Vance, author of Hillbilly Elegy and a vocal advocate for “America First” policies, emphasized economic nationalism and military expansion in the Arctic.
Marco Rubio, known for his hawkish stance on China and support for a robust military presence abroad, framed the Greenland issue as part of a broader “strategic encirclement” challenge.
Their joint appearance signaled a unified administration position, combining populist appeal with realist security logic. However, their refusal to rule out future acquisition attempts—stating only that “all options remain under review”—added tension to the discussions.
- Diplomatic Outcomes and Immediate Reactions
The meeting concluded without a joint statement, indicating unresolved differences. However, both sides agreed to:
Establish a High-Level Arctic Dialogue between U.S., Danish, and Greenlandic officials.
Expand scientific and climate cooperation, including joint monitoring of glacial melt and Arctic biodiversity.
Reaffirm the 1951 Defense Agreement while committing to greater transparency in U.S. military operations in Greenland.
Recognize Greenland’s direct participation in future trilateral consultations—a diplomatic victory for Motzfeldt.
Domestically, the meeting was hailed in Greenland as a turning point. The Inuit Ataqatigiit party, previously skeptical of Danish alignments, praised Motzfeldt for “asserting our sovereignty with dignity.” In Denmark, media outlets described the event as a “sovereignty stand” against American overreach.
Internationally, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte welcomed the dialogue, emphasizing that “alliance unity must not come at the expense of sovereignty.”
- Broader Implications
7.1. Arctic Sovereignty and the Erosion of Norms
Trump’s acquisition rhetoric challenges long-standing norms against territorial conquest in the post-World War II international order. While no formal annexation proposal was made, the mere suggestion by a sitting head of state undermines Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force to acquire territory.
7.2. Greenland’s Evolving Autonomy
The inclusion of Motzfeldt in the talks marks a de facto recognition of Greenland as a co-sovereign actor in foreign affairs. This could inspire similar autonomy movements in other dependent territories, from New Caledonia to Puerto Rico.
7.3. Strategic Competition in the Arctic
As ice melts and new shipping lanes open, the Arctic is becoming a theater of geopolitical contestation. The U.S., Russia, China, and Nordic states are increasing their military and economic presence. The Greenland meeting reflects a microcosm of this larger struggle.
- Conclusion
The January 14, 2026, meeting between Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, and U.S. leaders JD Vance and Marco Rubio represents a pivotal moment in Arctic diplomacy. It underscores the evolving nature of sovereignty within multinational states, the resurgence of territorial politics in an era of strategic competition, and the resilience of small nations in asserting their autonomy.
While no immediate crisis was averted, the dialogue established new precedents: Greenland’s direct diplomatic engagement, the reaffirmation of territorial integrity norms, and the limits of unilateral power in a multilateral world. As climate change accelerates and Arctic resources become more accessible, such encounters will likely become more frequent—and more consequential.
The world is watching—not just Greenland’s ice sheets melting, but the foundations of international order being tested in the high north.
References
Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (2023). The Greenland Act: Constitutional Reforms and Foreign Policy Autonomy. Copenhagen: Government Press.
Motzfeldt, V. (2025). “Greenland’s Place in the World: Toward Equal Partnership.” Arctic Review on Law and Politics, 16(2), 45–67.
Rasmussen, L. L. (2024). Denmark in the New Arctic: Security, Sovereignty, and Sustainability. Copenhagen: Hans Reitzel Forlag.
Reuters. (2026, January 14). Greenland, Denmark ministers meet Trump team amid sovereignty tensions. [Online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/greenland-denmark-ministers-meet-trump-team-2026-01-14/
U.S. Department of State. (2025). Arctic Strategic Vision 2025–2030. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.
United Nations. (1945). Charter of the United Nations. Article 2(4). Lake Success, NY.