Amid US President Donald Trump’s renewed push to take over Greenland, Denmark's defence ministry warned that any military attempt to invade the land will be met with immediate armed resistance as per the 1952 Cold War-era agreement.
Danish soldiers have standing orders to open fire immediately on any invading force without waiting for permission from their commanders, the ministry confirmed. The rule was established after Nazi Germany's invasion of Denmark in April 1940, which led to a widespread breakdown in communications. The directive ensures that soldiers can defend the nation even if they are cut off from their leaders, and it remains in effect today.
The Joint Arctic Command—Denmark’s military authority on the island—will determine what constitutes an attack.
The clarification comes at a time of heightened focus on Greenland from the US after Trump expressed interest again in the autonomous territory, which is under Danish oversight, and has even suggested using force to control it. His administration has cited Greenland's strategic importance for US national security, particularly in monitoring Russian and Chinese ships in the Arctic.
Under the 1951 Greenland Defence Agreement, the United States is already a NATO ally with broad rights to build and maintain military installations in Greenland, but this requires the consent of both Denmark and Greenland.
Greenland is a large island, with 80 per cent of its landmass located above the Arctic Circle, and it is home to approximately 56,000 people, most of whom are Inuit.
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However, leaders in both Denmark and Greenland have been clear that the island is not for sale. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen delivered a strong warning that any military attempt by the US to seize Greenland would signal "the end of NATO".
Justifying Trump’s stance, US Vice President J.D. Vance told Fox News that Denmark has not done enough to secure the territory as an "anchor for world security". He argued that Greenland is essential not only for US security but for global safety.
Meanwhile, diplomats from Denmark and Greenland are actively meeting with US lawmakers and White House staff in Washington, to convince the Trump administration to drop the idea of taking over the important Arctic island.
According to Danish officials who wished to remain anonymous, Denmark’s ambassador, Jesper Møller Sørensen, and Greenland’s top representative, Jacob Isbosethsen, met the White House National Security Council on Thursday.
The White House is yet to comment on the meeting.
The diplomats have also been meeting members of the US Congress, hoping to gain support in persuading Trump to abandon his proposal. A meeting is also expected next week between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Danish officials.
This comes after Trump told The New York Times he wants full ownership of Greenland, rather than just relying on an existing treaty that allows the US to operate military posts there.
Danish officials expressed optimism about the upcoming discussions with Rubio. “This is the dialogue that is needed,” said Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.
