U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday (3 June) that ongoing discussions with Denmark and Greenland over the use of the island for collective defence are “in a good place.”
Speaking during a House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Rubio said the talks are continuing on a regular basis and are focused on strengthening missile defence and broader NATO security arrangements.
“We are actually involved in conversations with Greenland and Denmark on the use of Greenland for collective defence for all of us. It’s a key part of missile defence, but we’re involved in those talks right now. I think we’re in a good place on it now,” Rubio said.
He added that discussions are taking place monthly and suggested further progress could be announced in the future, saying, “I think we’ll have pretty good news on it at some point.”
Rubio’s comments came during questioning from Representative Sarah McBride, who asked whether he was aware that Greenland is part of Denmark and whether the U.S. needs to own territory within NATO to ensure defence.
When asked directly about Greenland’s status, Rubio responded, “For now.”
U.S. President Donald Trump has previously suggested that the United States should acquire or control Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, which has triggered political tensions between Washington and Copenhagen.
The issue has unfolded alongside a broader political shift in Denmark following the formation of a new centre-left coalition government led by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
Frederiksen has said her government will “stand firm on the kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and right to self-determination,” while also prioritising defence cooperation and regional security.
Her administration has also been working on diplomatic engagement related to Greenland, as well as a military build-up in response to wider European security concerns linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Despite earlier tensions, the Greenland issue has increasingly moved into structured diplomatic discussions between Washington, Copenhagen and Nuuk.
Rubio said he agrees with Trump’s position that existing basing agreements are not sufficient, arguing that ownership of territory would simplify defence arrangements, although he stressed that negotiations are ongoing.
“There will be pretty good news on it at some point,” he said.
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