Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has urged U.S. President Donald Trump and his allies to refrain from making claims to control Greenland, following rising tensions between the NATO allies after U.S. actions in Venezuela. Trump recently stated, “we do need Greenland,” while Katie Miller, the wife of a close Trump adviser, shared a map of Greenland marked with the U.S. flag on social media, hinting at U.S. intentions in the region.
Frederiksen publicly countered Trump’s remarks, emphasizing that it is illogical for the U.S. to think about taking over Greenland, a territory historically linked to Denmark. She called on the U.S. to cease threats toward a long-standing ally. This declaration followed similar comments from Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen, who labeled the map shared by Miller as “disrespectful” and deemed the U.S. rhetoric “entirely unacceptable.” Nielsen stressed that enough is enough and called for an end to pressure and insinuations of annexation.
Trump has positioned military intervention in Venezuela as part of a broader strategy of “hemispheric defense,” which controversially includes Greenland within the U.S. sphere of influence despite its geographical ties to North America. Despite Trump’s claims that Denmark has neglected Greenland’s security, Frederiksen pointed out that the U.S. has a defense agreement with Copenhagen allowing military operations on the island and noted a recent Danish commitment of over $4 billion to strengthen Greenland’s security. Jesper Møller Sørensen, Denmark’s ambassador to the U.S., also stressed the importance of respecting Denmark’s territorial integrity.
Why this story matters
- The increasing tensions highlight the fragile dynamics within NATO and the implications of U.S. foreign policy.
Key takeaway
- Denmark firmly opposes U.S. assertions regarding Greenland, reinforcing its sovereignty and territorial rights.
Opposing viewpoint
- Trump and his administration maintain that U.S. involvement in Greenland is necessary for regional security and defense strategies.
