In early December, officials from Greenland, Denmark, and the United States are set to gather in Greenland for a series of formal tripartite meetings, marking a significant opportunity for discussion among these nations. This news was confirmed by the White House in a recent communication with Politiken.
The discussions will unfold within two established frameworks: the Joint Committee and the Permanent Committee, known in Danish as Det Fælles Udvalg and Det Permanente Udvalg, respectively. According to the White House, “The Danes and Greenlanders have invited an American delegation to the meetings in Nuuk at the beginning of December.”
The White House emphasized that the diplomatic ties between the U.S., Greenland, and Denmark are “well-established and growing in strength,” illustrating both the depth and potential of these relationships.
### A Year of Renewed Interest
Notably, it’s been nearly a year since renewed scrutiny arose around former President Donald Trump’s interest in Greenland—a topic he revisited following his re-election. In remarks shared on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump stated that ownership of Greenland remained a priority for him.
Trump has repeatedly echoed these sentiments, harking back to his first term when he famously expressed a desire to purchase Greenland. Such proposals were met with skepticism, notably from Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who dismissed the notion as absurd.
Earlier this month, Politiken reported that the U.S. had attempted to coordinate a high-level meeting with Greenlandic representatives without Danish involvement, a move highlighting the complexities of international negotiations in the region.
### Navigating Diplomatic Waters
In practice, both Denmark and Greenland must be present when discussing foreign, security, and defense policies significant to Greenland. The Greenland Treaty of 1951 underscores this relationship, obligating the U.S. to assist Denmark in defending Greenland through NATO channels while granting the U.S. unrestricted access throughout the territory.
The Permanent Committee was established in 1991 with the aim of facilitating the exchange of information related to the U.S. military presence in Greenland. Meanwhile, the Joint Committee, formed in 2004, addresses wider civil matters, further underscoring the collaborative efforts among these three nations.
As these meetings approach, the world will be watching to see how this tripartite dialogue unfolds and what implications it may hold for the region’s future.