A bipartisan delegation of United States lawmakers has visited Denmark in an effort to reduce rising tensions triggered by President Donald Trump’s renewed push for the US to annex Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory under Danish sovereignty.
The 11-member congressional delegation held meetings with Danish lawmakers, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen. Senator Chris Coons, who led the group, said the visit was aimed at listening to concerns on the ground and taking those views back to Washington in hopes of “lowering the temperature” surrounding the issue.
President Trump has repeatedly argued that Greenland is strategically vital to US national security, warning that Washington could acquire the Arctic territory either “the easy way” or “the hard way”. Both Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected any suggestion of a US takeover.
Greenland, while sparsely populated, is rich in natural resources and occupies a critical position between North America and the Arctic, making it important for missile early-warning systems and maritime surveillance. The US already maintains a permanent military presence at the Pituffik base, where more than 100 American personnel are stationed under long-standing agreements with Denmark that allow Washington to deploy additional forces if needed.
Despite this, Trump has insisted that outright ownership is necessary to adequately defend the territory against potential threats from Russia and China. Danish officials have warned that any military action against Greenland would fundamentally undermine Nato, as the alliance has never faced a scenario in which one member state uses force against another.
European allies have rallied behind Denmark, stressing that Arctic security should be a shared Nato responsibility. Several countries, including France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, have already sent small reconnaissance contingents to Greenland. French President Emmanuel Macron has confirmed that France will soon deploy land, air, and sea assets to the region.
The congressional visit followed unsuccessful high-level talks in Washington that failed to shift President Trump’s position. While most members of the delegation are Democrats who oppose Trump, the group also included Republican Senators Thom Tillis and Lisa Murkowski, both known supporters of Nato.
Senator Murkowski noted that Congress holds significant influence through its control of government spending, hinting that lawmakers could block funding for any military action. She is also a sponsor of a bipartisan bill designed to prevent the annexation of Greenland, even as another Republican lawmaker has introduced legislation backing the move.
Greenlandic MP Aaja Chemnitz described the meetings with US legislators as encouraging, saying Greenland needs strong international allies. She acknowledged, however, that pressure from Washington has been ongoing for years and warned that the situation remains fluid and unpredictable.
Trump’s special envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, has maintained that the US should negotiate directly with Greenland’s leaders rather than Denmark, insisting that a deal is still possible. He said the president was serious about his intentions and believes diplomacy could still lead to an agreement that aligns with US interests.