Washington, DC – Technical discussions have commenced between the United States and Denmark regarding the potential purchase of Greenland by Washington, prompting strong reactions from European allies. The move comes amidst growing geopolitical interest in the Arctic region.
French Finance Minister Roland Lescure has cautioned US Treasury Secretary Scott Bisent that any attempt to seize Greenland would severely damage Europe’s economic relationship with the United States. Lescure emphasized the island’s sovereign status and its integral connection to the European Union.
“Greenland is part of a sovereign nation, and it is part of the European Union. This should not be tampered with,” Lescure stated, as reported by the Financial Times. When questioned about potential EU sanctions in response to a hypothetical invasion of Greenland by the US, Lescure acknowledged the unprecedented nature of such a scenario, stating, “If that happened, we would definitely be in a completely new world, and we would have to act accordingly.”
Meanwhile, White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt announced on Thursday the initiation of technical discussions between the United States and Denmark concerning the potential acquisition of Greenland. Leavitt described Wednesday’s meeting between US Vice President JD Vance and Danish officials as productive. She reiterated President Trump’s commitment to purchasing Greenland from Denmark, citing the region’s vital importance to US national interests.
Leavitt further stated that both sides have agreed to establish a working group to continue technical discussions regarding the purchase of Greenland. These meetings are expected to occur bi-weekly or every three weeks. President Trump views the annexation of Greenland as a national security priority, according to Leavitt. She dismissed concerns that plans by certain European nations to deploy forces to Greenland would influence President Trump’s decision.
President Trump stated on Wednesday that he lacks confidence in Denmark’s ability to protect Greenland, reaffirming that the island represents a national security imperative for the United States. Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, is the world’s largest island and holds a strategically significant location in the Arctic, an area of increasing importance due to melting ice caused by climate change and the opening of new trade routes.
