Key Points
• Danish foreign minister to visit NATO capitals over Greenland tensions
• Denmark rejects US tariff threats linked to Greenland policy
• European allies step up military cooperation in the Arctic
• NATO dialogue aimed at reinforcing collective defence and sovereignty
ISLAMABAD: Denmark’s foreign minister will embark on a diplomatic tour of NATO capitals to build support over rising tensions with the United States related to Greenland, as European allies bolster cooperation and reject US coercion.
Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen is scheduled to visit key NATO allies in Brussels, Paris and Berlin this week to discuss mounting tensions surrounding the strategic Arctic territory of Greenland, officials told Reuters. The discussions aim to reinforce collective defence, respect for sovereignty and deeper cooperation among alliance members amid the intensifying dispute.
The diplomatic push follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of tariffs on goods from several European nations linked to disagreements over Greenland. The tariffs, set to begin at 10% in February and rise to 25% by June if no agreement is reached, have sparked significant concern among NATO partners and European Union members.
Rasmussen described the tariff announcement as a surprise, noting that earlier talks with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been constructive but that the new measures complicate efforts to maintain close alliance ties. He reiterated that Denmark and its NATO partners agree on the need to strengthen Arctic security but reject any coercive tactics that could undermine alliance unity or national sovereignty.
His tour comes amid a broader European response to the dispute, which has seen small contingents of NATO troops deployed to Greenland to enhance regional security and signal support for Danish sovereignty. The deployments involve personnel from countries such as France, Germany, Norway and Sweden, as part of joint training and defence exercises, demonstrating Arctic readiness and solidarity among allies.
European leaders have strongly criticised the U.S. tariff threats, warning that such unilateral measures risk damaging decades-long transatlantic relations and setting a dangerous precedent in international trade and security.
Denmark’s diplomatic outreach to NATO capitals will focus on ensuring that the alliance’s collective defence principles are upheld and that member states remain aligned on respecting territorial integrity. Officials say deeper coordination between European NATO members is essential not only to address the Greenland dispute but also to tackle wider geopolitical challenges in the Arctic and beyond.
Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has been at the centre of the dispute after Trump reiterated U.S. interest in acquiring control of the island — an idea firmly rejected by Denmark and Greenlandic leaders. Both have insisted that the territory is not for sale, emphasising its right to self-determination and the importance of sovereign decision-making within alliances.
The foreign minister’s tour is expected to include high-level talks with counterparts and NATO officials to craft a coordinated diplomatic response and to reassure European capitals of Denmark’s commitment to collective defence. Analysts say the mission underscores the seriousness with which Denmark and its allies are treating tensions with the U.S., even as they seek to preserve long-standing security partnerships.
