The recent gathering of a working group focused on Greenland and its relationship with the United States has yielded promising results, prompting officials to declare that the parties are now “back on track.” This positive assessment comes from Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, following the inaugural meeting in Washington, D.C.
“I want to emphasize the point made by Senator Marco Rubio yesterday,” Løkke stated. “We convened our first meeting at the senior official level in Washington, and it was a success. The atmosphere was constructive, and there was genuine dialogue, with plans for future meetings on the horizon. While we haven’t reached any final agreements, it’s reassuring that we are returning to our previous commitments made in Washington,” he added.
When Løkke mentions being “back on track,” he’s referring to his efforts to revive an initial agreement made during his visit to Washington 15 days ago. This agreement centered on forming a working group to explore potential solutions.
“After some significant detours and escalations, we find ourselves on a more stable path. As I’ve reiterated, we share America’s security concerns,” Løkke explained. “Our goal is to address these collaboratively through NATO discussions involving the U.S., Greenland, and Denmark.”
A Glimmer of Optimism
Løkke emphasized that the accord reached in Washington spoke to the necessity of maintaining a “constructive dialogue” that not only addresses American security interests but also respects the Kingdom’s “red lines” regarding sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the self-determination of the Greenlandic people.
“While we can’t claim any definitive outcomes yet, I must admit I’m feeling a bit more optimistic than I did just a week ago,” he reflected on Wednesday’s meeting.
It’s worth noting that the establishment of this working group originated from a meeting on January 14 between Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Greenland’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Motzfeldt, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
However, the very next day marked the beginning of rising tensions, as the Trump administration escalated threats regarding Greenland. At a press conference on January 15, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that the working group would “continue technical discussions on the acquisition of Greenland,” a statement that prompted Løkke to clarify that this was not an accurate interpretation.
Unresolved Challenges
The situation intensified when President Trump subsequently imposed threats of additional tariffs on Denmark and seven other European nations, demanding ownership of Greenland. This provoked a response from the EU, which began conversations on countermeasures. French President Emmanuel Macron even suggested utilizing the EU’s anti-coercion instrument—often referred to as the EU’s trade bazooka—against the United States.
Thus, the EU and the U.S. found themselves teetering on the edge of a trade war. Yet during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, a shift occurred. Trump reached an agreement with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to bolster security in the Arctic and agreed to retract his tariff threats, effectively bringing the working group back to its initial discussions following Løkke and Motzfeldt’s visit.
“This is a positive development, and I’m genuinely pleased to see us engaged in meaningful dialogue. I prefer not to speculate on potential outcomes just yet,” Løkke said. “Although no resolutions have been reached, we have made a constructive start.”
/ritzau/