U.S. Lawmakers Move to Repair Ties with Denmark and Greenland Following Annexation Threats

COPENHAGEN – A high-level, bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation arrived in Denmark this week on an urgent “reassurance mission.” The visit aims to stabilize the geopolitical fallout caused by President Trump’s recent aggressive rhetoric regarding the forced acquisition of Greenland.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

The Source of the Friction

The diplomatic crisis was ignited by a series of escalations from the White House in early 2026:

• Ultimatums: The President recently suggested that the U.S. might take Greenland “one way or the other,” hinting at military options if a purchase agreement isn’t reached.
• Economic Threats: Threatened tariffs against Denmark were used as leverage to force negotiations over the island’s sovereignty.
• Resource Competition: The administration has prioritized Greenland’s rare earth minerals, viewing them as a national security necessity to compete with China.

A Unified Front in Congress

Led by Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), the 11-member delegation met with Danish and Greenlandic leaders to present a different face of American foreign policy. Their mission focused on three core pillars:

1. Respect for Sovereignty: The delegation formally acknowledged that Greenland is not for sale and that the U.S. recognizes the self-determination of the Greenlandic people.
2. NATO Solidarity: Amidst fears that Trump’s stance could fracture the alliance, lawmakers reaffirmed that Denmark remains a vital and respected NATO partner.
3. Domestic Opposition: The group signaled to European leaders that there is no broad legislative support in the U.S. for a hostile or forced acquisition of the territory.

The “Hands Off” Response

The visit comes as European allies—including France, Germany, and the UK—have begun deploying symbolic military observers to Greenland to bolster Danish sovereignty. While the congressional visit successfully “lowered the temperature” in Copenhagen, the White House continues to insist that “technical talks” regarding the island’s future are ongoing.

“Greenland needs to be viewed as our ally, not as an asset,” Senator Murkowski told reporters, directly contradicting the administration’s transactional approach to the Arctic.