Amid diplomatic tensions over the future of Greenland, a bipartisan delegation from the US Congress has traveled to Copenhagen. The group of eleven members, led by Democratic Senator Chris Coons, intends to assure the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the Greenlandic Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen of the Parliament's support. The goal of the visit is to strengthen trust in the 'transatlantic partnership' and to emphasize the sovereignty of the 'Danish Kingdom'.
The background for this trip is repeated statements by US President Donald Trump, who has expressed territorial interest in the Arctic island. Trump argued, among other things, that the national security of the USA requires taking over Greenland to prevent influence from Russia and China. In this context, he considered Greenland's 'NATO-Mitgliedschaft' an insufficient protection. Critics, including US parliamentarians from both parties, rejected these ambitions as violating international law and harmful to international relations.
While the US administration under Trump and Vice President JD Vance increases pressure on Copenhagen, European partners are showing a stronger presence. Several states, including Germany and France, sent reconnaissance units to Greenland to demonstrate European solidarity. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stressed after talks in Washington that fundamental differences remain, but that dialogue will be maintained. The US delegation has now signaled that a large part of Congress continues to view NATO obligations and the territorial integrity of Denmark as untouchable.
