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US Document from 1916 Recognizes Denmark's Rights to Greenland

Published January 20, 2026, 06:29
US Document from 1916 Recognizes Denmark's Rights to Greenland

A US government document from 1916, found on its official website, appears to contradict recent claims by Donald Trump regarding ownership of Greenland. Trump had questioned Denmark's right to Greenland, arguing that there were no written documents to prove it. The 1916 document, a letter from then-US Secretary of State Robert Lansing, recognizes Denmark's rights to Greenland. The letter was issued following an agreement between the US and Denmark for the transfer of Danish colonies to the US, in exchange for recognizing Danish interests in Greenland. Specifically, the document states that the US government “will not object to the extension of the political and economic interests of the Danish government over the whole of Greenland.” Nevertheless, Trump had proposed annexing Greenland citing US and NATO security concerns.