One Decision "I Don't Know If the U.S. Would Defend Us" | Denmark Defense Committee Chair on NATO
Feb 5, 2026
Rasmus Jarlov, Chair of the Defence Committee in the Danish Parliament and former politician, explains why Denmark refused territorial demands over Greenland. He discusses U.S. interest in Greenland, doubts about America’s reliability for NATO defense, shifting European defense spending, strained transatlantic trust, and how Copenhagen and Nuuk grew closer amid the controversy.
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Sovereignty Is Non-Negotiable
- Denmark refuses to cede Greenland sovereignty and insists only Denmark and Greenland can decide its fate.
- Rasmus Jarlov says there is currently no deal and any agreement must respect Denmark's clear red lines.
Annexation Offers No Strategic Gain
- Jarlov sees no rational benefit for the U.S. to annex Greenland because existing access already allows bases and cooperation.
- He calls territorial claims illegitimate and damaging to allied trust.
Negotiate Concrete Projects, Not Sovereignty
- If the U.S. has concrete security or mining needs, present them so Denmark and Greenland can negotiate practical projects.
- Jarlov suggests building bases or supporting mining cooperatively rather than arguing over sovereignty.