The Prime Minister of Denmark announced that she had contacted US President-elect Donald Trump in light of his comments about taking control of Greenland, which Denmark is taking seriously.
Mr. Trump, set to officially take office on January 20, raised concerns on Tuesday when he did not dismiss the possibility of military action to gain control over the Panama Canal and Greenland.
Denmark has expressed its willingness to discuss US interests in the Arctic, but the Prime Minister emphasized that “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.”
European leaders have also backed the sovereignty of the Arctic island, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark. Russia has expressed concern regarding the preservation of peace and stability in the area.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen spoke to the press yesterday
While few specifics emerged during the two-hour discussions, Frederiksen told reporters afterward that her office had reached out to Trump, although they had not yet had a conversation.
“We have suggested a dialogue between us. I don’t expect anything concrete until the President-elect is in office,” she stated.
She reiterated her belief that Trump would not attempt to seize Greenland by force.
“We have no reason to believe that would occur.”
The leader of the right-wing Danish People’s Party, Morten Messerschmidt, told TV2 after the discussions that he was “completely confident that the (Danish) government aims to collaborate closely with the United States… our most crucial economic and defense partners.”
Conversely, another right-wing populist figure, Inger Stojberg of the Denmark Democrats, expressed her view that the government lacked a “concrete plan” and seemed “paralyzed.”
“I hope the government will take more initiative with Trump once he is in office,” she remarked.
Aki-Mathilda Hoegh-Dam, a representative from Greenland, commended Frederiksen for fostering a “good dialogue.”
“It’s vital to maintain composure and remember that we have… a good partnership, and this situation does not alter that,” she said.
Prior to the discussions, Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen informed reporters that Denmark had “no intentions whatsoever to escalate a war of words with a president preparing to enter the Oval Office.”
Yesterday, Mr. Lokke Rasmussen mentioned that Denmark is open to discussions with the United States regarding safeguarding US interests in the Arctic, especially given the increasing rivalries with China and Russia in the region.
The United States maintains an active military base in northwestern Greenland, which has strategic significance in the Arctic as melting ice due to climate change opens new shipping routes.
Ms. Frederiksen also indicated that the government was arranging to meet representatives from Greenland and the Faroe Islands—another autonomous Danish territory—tomorrow.
In an Instagram post, Ms. Frederiksen emphasized that the government was taking all necessary actions to “protect Denmark’s – and the Danish Realm’s – interests.”
Mr. Trump initially expressed interest in purchasing Greenland back in 2019 during his first presidential term, an offer that Greenland and Denmark quickly rejected.
His recent comments coincided with a private visit to Greenland by his son, Donald Trump Jr.
Donald Trump Jr. visited Greenland on Tuesday
Greenland, which is striving for greater autonomy from Denmark, possesses vast untapped mineral and oil resources; however, oil and uranium exploration are currently prohibited.
Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign policy chief, stated that the territory’s sovereignty must be upheld, asserting that “Greenland is part of Denmark.”
“We must respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Greenland.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz underscored that “borders must not be altered by force. This principle applies to every nation, whether in the east or west.”
“Conversations with our European allies have revealed unease regarding recent statements from the US. It is evident: We must remain united,” he posted on X.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked that Russia is observing the situation closely.
“We are monitoring this rather dramatic evolution of events, which thankfully remains at the level of statements for now,” Mr. Peskov stated.
“We are committed to maintaining peace and stability in this area and are ready to cooperate with any parties for such peace and stability,” he added.
