Bipartisan lawmakers head to Denmark as Trump presses Greenland claim

The congressional trip comes as Danish and Greenlandic envoys prepare for Washington talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and as China pushes back on Trump’s stated rationale for acquiring the Arctic island — that doing so is necessary to prevent Beijing and Moscow from seizing it.

WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of at least nine U.S. lawmakers is traveling to Copenhagen this week to affirm American commitment to Denmark as President Donald Trump continues to press his administration’s push to acquire Greenland, with the White House considering a range of options that include military force.

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., is leading the delegation, which includes Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina. The group is scheduled to be in Copenhagen on Friday and Saturday to meet with high-level Danish and Greenlandic government officials and business leaders.

The trip comes as Danish and Greenlandic envoys prepare for Washington talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and as China pushed back Monday on Trump’s stated rationale for acquiring the Arctic island — that doing so is necessary to prevent Beijing and Moscow from seizing it.

Lawmakers seek to reassure a NATO ally

In an interview with the Associated Press on Monday, Coons said the delegation wants to send a message that “we understand the value of the partnership we have long had with them, and in no way seek to interfere in their internal discussions about the status of Greenland.”

Coons stressed the depth of the U.S.-Danish alliance, noting that Denmark joined the American response after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and has cooperated on security and investment in the Arctic region for years.

“I think the only thing that has changed is the recent statements by the president and the extent to which it seems to have gone from casual to serious, and I just think it’s important for us to be heard as strongly supporting NATO and our alliance,” Coons said.

The delegation considered traveling to Greenland as part of the trip but was unable to do so due to logistical issues, according to a person familiar with the planning who was granted anonymity to discuss earlier private discussions.

Trump doubles down on acquisition push

Trump reiterated his argument aboard Air Force One on Sunday that the United States needs to acquire Greenland or risk Russia and China doing so. He said he would prefer to make a deal for the territory, “but one way or the other, we’re going to have Greenland.”

Tensions between Washington, Copenhagen, and Nuuk have mounted this month as Trump and his administration have pressed the issue and the White House has weighed options including military force to acquire the vast Arctic island.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that an American takeover of Greenland would mark the end of NATO.

Greenland reaffirms self-determination, NATO membership

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and the leaders of the four other parties in the territory’s parliament issued a joint statement on Friday reiterating that Greenland’s future must be decided by its people and expressing their “wish that the United States’ contempt for our country ends.”

Nielsen issued an additional statement on Monday, underscoring Greenland’s membership in the Kingdom of Denmark and its place within NATO.

“This means that our security and defense belong within NATO. This is a fundamental and firm line,” he said. “We are a democratic society that makes our own decisions. And our actions are based on international law and the rule of law.”

China rejects Trump’s rationale

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Monday that China’s activities in the Arctic are lawful and that the United States should not invoke Beijing as justification for its Greenland ambitions.

“China’s activities in the Arctic are aimed at promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and are in accordance with international law,” Mao said. “The U.S. should not pursue its own interests by using other countries as a pretext.”

She added that “the Arctic concerns the overall interests of the international community” and that “the rights and freedoms of all countries to conduct activities in the Arctic in accordance with the law should be fully respected.”

Coons said part of the delegation’s message will be that “there is no imminent threat to Greenland from the Chinese and the Russians.”

China declared itself a “near-Arctic state” in 2018 as part of a broader push to expand its influence in the region. Beijing has also announced plans to build a “Polar Silk Road” as part of its global Belt and Road Initiative.