Denmark and Greenland prepare for US talks as Trump says territory’s PM has a ‘big problem’ – Europe live | Europe
Key events
Denmark to boost military presence in Greenland, talk with Nato about ‘increased activities’
Denmark will “strengthen” its military presence in Greenland after US criticism over its defence investment in the territory, the country’s defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.
In a statement to AFP news agency, Poulsen said:
“We will continue to strengthen our military presence in Greenland, but we will also have an even greater focus within Nato on more exercises and an increased Nato presence in the Arctic.”
He added that Denmark was involved in “an ongoing dialogue with its Allies about new and increased activities in 2026.”
France to open consulate in Greenland to send ‘political signal,’ minister says
Meanwhile, France has announced plans to open a consulate in Greenland next month, with the country’s foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot saying it was meant to send “a political signal” amid US president Donald Trump’s growing interest in the territory.
Barrot told French RTL broadcaster that the decision to open the consulate was taken last summer, when president Emmanuel Macron visited Greenland in a show of support, AFP reported.
“For my part, I went there at the end of August to plan the consulate, which will open on 6 February,” he said.
“It’s a political signal that’s associated with a desire to be more present in Greenland, including in the scientific field.”
“Greenland does not want to be owned, governed… or integrated into the United States. Greenland has made the choice of Denmark, Nato, (European) Union,” he said.
Morning opening: ‘That’s their problem’
Jakub Krupa
The US president, Donald Trump, has sparked fresh concerns about the future of Greenland after he dismissed the territory’s prime minister’s defiant rejection of the US, saying “I don’t know anything about him, but this is going to be a big problem for him.”
Asked about Jens-Frederik Nielsen’s statement saying Greenland would choose Denmark over the US, Trump said:
“I disagree with him. I don’t know who he is. I don’t know anything about him. But, that’s going to be a big problem for him.”
His comments come hours before key talks in Washington between the Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers and the US vice-president, JD Vance, and the US state secretary, Marco Rubio.
The growing tensions between the two historical allies also have very tangible effect on their relations, including on tourism.
According to the lastest data from travel industry group Rejs, the number of trips booked by Danish citizens to the US has dropped by half in 2025.
“We have never seen this before. It is completely extraordinary. We have never seen such a big drop in a major destination,” director Niels Amstrup said, quoted by DR.
I will bring you our coverage on the US meeting and European reactions to Greenland, as well as the latest updates on Ukraine and other key European issues.
It’s Wednesday, 14 January 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
