Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen announced on Monday that Denmark could abandon its defense cooperation agreement with the United States under “quite special circumstances,” specifically if the US were to exit NATO. Rasmussen clarified that this does not mean the current agreement regarding the presence of American troops in Denmark, signed in 2023, will be immediately canceled.

However, he stated that the agreement could “well be terminated in a manner other than by denunciation or mutual agreement” if exceptional conditions arise. “The crucial prerequisite for the agreement is the NATO membership of both parties,” Rasmussen emphasized. He added that there are currently no indications suggesting that the United States intends to leave the NATO alliance.

Denmark’s statement highlights the conditional nature of the defense agreement, which hinges on broader geopolitical stability and alliance commitments. The deal, forged in 2023, allows for the presence of American troops on Danish soil and was seen as a sign of strengthened military ties between the two countries.

The remarks come as tensions persist between Washington and Copenhagen, largely due to US President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to annex Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory. Since assuming office, Trump’s rhetoric has strained the traditionally close relationship between the two nations.

While Denmark reiterated its current commitment to the deal, Rasmussen’s comments serve as a reminder of the fragility of international military cooperation when foundational alliances such as NATO are questioned. The situation underlines the importance of mutual trust and the ongoing relevance of collective defense arrangements in an increasingly uncertain global security environment.