• Denmark and Greenland officials met U.S. officials regarding Trump's Greenland acquisition comments.
• Efforts are underway to persuade U.S. lawmakers to avoid military takeover proposals.
• Greenland's self-determination and sovereignty are emphasized by local leaders.
• European leaders, including Macron, criticized the potential for military action in Greenland.

Denmark and Greenland’s envoys conducted meetings with U.S. officials to address President Trump's renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, which he suggested could include military options. The discussions involved Denmark's Ambassador Jesper Moller Sørensen and Greenland’s Chief Representative Jacob Isbosethsen, emphasizing a need for U.S. lawmakers to rethink Trump's statements about a “takeover” of the island, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

In their ongoing effort, the envoys have met with White House National Security Council officials and other key members of the Trump administration to advocate against the notion of military acquisition. The urgency of their talks reflects a broader concern for Greenland’s sovereignty and the precedent such actions could set, reports Los Angeles Times.

During a recent interview, President Trump asserted the need for the U.S. to possess Greenland entirely, arguing that “ownership gives you things and elements that you can’t get from just signing a document.” This stance is drawing fire from both Danish officials and some members of the U.S. Congress, who are troubled by the rhetoric suggesting military force, as stated by Senator Lisa Murkowski, who labeled such talk as “profoundly troubling,” according to Los Angeles Times and Reuters.

Critics of Trump’s comments, including Greenlandic politician Aaja Chemnitz, voiced concerns over disrespect towards Greenland’s people and their right to self-determination. Chemnitz emphasized that many Greenlanders wish to control their future, insisting that discussions around the territory should include voices from Greenland, noting, “Nothing about Greenland, without Greenland,” as reported by Channel News Asia and Los Angeles Times.

International leaders, including France’s President Emmanuel Macron, have similarly criticized the situation, calling attention to the “law of the strongest.” Macron warned that such actions raise concerns about potential invasions and the integrity of international alliances, reflecting a significant global apprehension towards U.S. policy in the Arctic region, according to Channel News Asia and Los Angeles Times.

As Denmark strengthens its military presence in Greenland, including advancing surveillance and sovereignty capabilities, it faces the delicate task of balancing international relations with preservation of Greenlandic autonomy. Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen indicated optimism about upcoming talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, highlighting the necessity for dialogue to address mutual concerns effectively, per Reuters and Channel News Asia.