Vance and Rubio to Meet Danish, Greenland Officials Amid Tensions

Vice President JD Vance and Senator Marco Rubio will meet with Danish and Greenlandic officials in Washington this week. The talks come as President Donald Trump has again raised the idea of the United States taking control of Greenland. Trump says the move is needed for national security because of the island's spot in the Arctic and its rich minerals. Danish and Greenlandic leaders want to use the meeting to stress their sovereignty and find a calm way forward.

Background

Greenland has been part of Denmark for centuries, but it runs its own local government on most matters. The island sits far north, closer to the US than to Denmark, and covers a huge area covered in ice. About 56,000 people live there, mostly Inuit, and they have pushed for more say in their future.

Talks about Greenland and the US go back years. In 2019, Trump first floated the idea of buying the island from Denmark. He called it a smart move for military bases and to stop rivals like Russia and China from gaining ground there. Denmark said no, calling the idea absurd. Trump then canceled a state visit to Denmark.

Things heated up again after Trump returned to office. He has pointed to Greenland's rare earth minerals, key for tech and green energy, and its role in watching Arctic shipping routes as ice melts. US officials worry that without a stronger foothold, other powers could step in. Greenland's leaders have said they want to stay with Denmark but build closer ties with the US on business and defense.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has stood firm. She visited Greenland recently to show support. Greenland's Prime Minister Múte B. Egede is leading the delegation to Washington. Opposition figures in Greenland see the trip as a chance to talk directly.

Key Details

The meeting is set for Thursday at a site hosted by Vance. Rubio, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will join. They plan to discuss security, resources, and partnerships. No full agenda has been released, but sources say the focus is on easing Trump's takeover talk.

Greenland's Position

People in Greenland have mixed views. Many question why the US wants their land. Local lawmakers from the opposition welcome the dialogue. They say talks are better than threats.

"The Greenlandic people have their own representatives. We have our politicians who represent the Greenlandic people. So having a meeting, being able to sit down and seek diplomatic solutions, is what we've been seeking from the beginning." – Opposition lawmaker

Greenland offers democracy and justice, the lawmaker added. They want peace, not conflict.

US Arguments

Trump has said Greenland's Prime Minister has a 'big problem' because of weak defenses against outside influence. Vance, in recent speeches, stressed the Arctic's growing importance. Melting ice opens new paths for ships and access to oil, gas, and minerals. The US already has Thule Air Base there, used for missile warning.

Rubio has backed stronger US presence. He co-sponsored a bill with other senators to block any forced takeover. The bill says Congress must approve any change to Greenland's status.

Denmark is sending Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen along with Egede. They asked for the meeting to clear the air. Preparations included calls between embassies.

What This Means

These talks could shape US relations with Denmark and Greenland for years. If they go well, expect deals on mining, defense, and trade. Greenland needs money for schools, roads, and homes, and US investment could help. But any hint of pressure on sovereignty might backfire, pushing Greenland closer to Europe or others.

For the Arctic, the outcome matters. Russia has built up military sites nearby, and China seeks mining deals. A US-Danish pact could steady the region. Failure might raise risks of more bold moves from Washington.

Trump's team sees Greenland as a test of his deal-making. Success would boost his image on foreign policy. Danish and Greenlandic sides aim to protect their bond while opening doors to US cash without losing control.

Local voices in Greenland stress calm. They have watched rhetoric build for over a year. Now, with faces across the table, they hope for real progress. The US push highlights bigger shifts: climate change is changing the map up north, drawing eyes to places once ignored.

Business leaders watch closely. Greenland holds 10% of the world's rare earths, vital for batteries and phones. Rules there block quick foreign buys, but talks might loosen them.

Denmark faces a balance. It relies on NATO, led by the US, but won't sell off territory. Greenland's people vote on big changes, and polls show most want independence someday, on their terms.

The meeting tests if words can replace warnings. All sides say they prefer talk over trouble. Results will show soon.