Danish PM Mette Frederiksen in Greenland for ‘show of support’

Danish PM Mette Frederiksen is visiting Greenland’s capital Nuuk for talks with the territory’s chief, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, after a rollercoaster week that noticed US President Donald Trump roll again his threats to forcibly take over the Arctic island and comply with additional negotiations.

Tensions had risen precariously over the previous couple of weeks, till a surprising turnaround on Wednesday, when Trump immediately dominated out navy motion, and withdrew his threats to slap tariffs on a number of European allies.

Trump posted on social media {that a} “framework of a future cope with respect to Greenland” had been reached, following his assembly with Nato chief Mark Rutte on the World Financial Discussion board in Davos.

Nevertheless, few particulars have been given, and there are questions on what precisely was agreed between the US president and the secretary basic.

The Danish prime minister travelled immediately from Brussels, the place she additionally met face-to-face with Rutte earlier on Friday morning. In accordance with Rutte’s publish on X, they agreed “to boost deterrence and defence within the Arctic”.

After touchdown at Nuuk airport, Frederiksen was greeted on the tarmac by Nielsen, who gave her a hug.

“I’m at first in Greenland at present to indicate our sturdy Danish help for the Greenlandic individuals,” she instructed reporters. “It is a very troublesome time, everybody can see that.”

“It’s a severe scenario we’re in. Everybody can see that. Now there’s a diplomatic, political observe that we are going to pursue,” she mentioned. Her journey was a “working” go to to arrange their “subsequent steps,” she mentioned.

On Thursday, Trump told Fox News that the US “will get every part we would like for free of charge” and {that a} “piece” of his deliberate “Golden Dome” missile defence system can be positioned on Greenland.

When requested if this was an precise “acquisition”, he answered: “It is complete entry. There is no finish, there is no time restrict.”

Beforehand the New York Occasions reported that one thought beneath dialogue was Denmark ceding sovereignty over small pockets of land the place the US would construct navy bases.

Danish and Greenlandic officers have pushed again strongly towards giving up any type of possession, and repeatedly acknowledged that sovereignty is a “pink line”.

Forward of an emergency European summit within the Belgian capital on Thursday night, Frederiksen mentioned that Greenland’s sovereignty was non-negotiable, although Denmark was prepared to work on “safety”.

The US has round 150 navy personnel at its single Pituffik base within the north-western tip of the territory.

Below a defence pact with Denmark, relationship again to 1951, the US can already construct up its navy presence and deploy additional troops.

That was up to date in 2004, collectively with the Bush administration, to incorporate Greenland as an equal associate to the deal.

AFP has reported that sources acquainted with talks had mentioned the US and Denmark would renegotiate the 1951 settlement.

Danish nationwide newspaper Berlingske additionally writes {that a} renegotiation is feasible, that the Danish and Greenlandic sides haven’t dominated out revising that deal. Nevertheless, mineral rights or the give up of territory have by no means been on the desk.

The BBC has reached out to Denmark’s Ministry of Defence, which declined to remark.

In the meantime Danish Overseas Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen mentioned on Friday there had been no detailed plan, however that negotiations would begin quickly, specializing in “safety, safety, and safety”.