In a surprising twist to U.S.-European relations, Denmark has reached out to President-elect Donald Trump's team in recent days with private overtures to address the incoming administration's provocative stance on Greenland. Trump's suggestion of using military coercion to assert U.S. control over the autonomous Danish territory has left Copenhagen scrambling to maintain diplomacy and protect its strategic Arctic island.

Sources familiar with the discussions reveal Denmark has expressed willingness to strengthen security and increase U.S. military presence in Greenland to pacify Trump's concerns about Russia and China. However, Copenhagen has drawn a firm line against the notion of American annexation, stressing the island is not for sale.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Prime Minister Múte Egede convened a press conference on Friday in Copenhagen to address the escalating situation. Egede, a staunch advocate for Greenland's independence, emphasized the islanders' desire for self-determination. "Greenland is for the Greenlandic people," he said. "We do not want to be Danish, we do not want to be American. We want to be Greenlandic."

Greenland's strategic significance has grown in recent years, fueled by climate change, which has opened new Arctic shipping routes and increased global competition for resources. The island holds vast reserves of critical minerals and occupies a pivotal location between the U.S. and Russia. For decades, the U.S. has maintained a military presence in Greenland under a 1951 defense agreement with Denmark, housing a vital early-warning system during the Cold War.

Trump's comments about potentially claiming Greenland for the U.S. have caused a stir in Copenhagen and beyond, raising concerns among European allies about his intentions. No one could have imagined Denmark, one of America's closest allies within the EU, would be the first country Trump would pick a fight with, an unnamed European diplomat told Axios.

Danish leaders, eager to avoid a public confrontation, have conveyed through backchannels their readiness to discuss enhanced military collaboration with Washington. Reports indicate that Denmark is exploring further investment in Greenland's military infrastructure and capabilities in consultation with its Greenlandic counterparts.

Egede struck a conciliatory tone, stating his openness to dialogue with Trump's team while reiterating Greenland's autonomy. "Cooperation is about dialogue. Cooperation means that you will work towards solutions," he said.

Trump's bold ambitions have drawn both criticism and skepticism from international observers. Secretary of State Antony Blinken dismissed the proposal outright, stating, "It is not a good idea, and it is not going to happen." However, Trump's repeated remarks on the subject, coupled with a recent visit by his son, Donald Trump Jr., to Greenland, have left officials uncertain about how seriously to take his intentions.

The Biden administration has sought to downplay the controversy, with Blinken emphasizing that the U.S. can address its security concerns in Greenland through existing agreements. Analysts argue that an increased military presence under NATO's umbrella would suffice to counter any threats from Russia or China without resorting to annexation.

Despite Denmark's efforts to mitigate tensions, the situation has exposed the delicate balance Copenhagen must maintain between asserting sovereignty over Greenland and preserving its alliance with Washington. The Trump administration's stance underscores a broader challenge for Arctic nations navigating geopolitical competition in a rapidly changing region.