Denmark and Trump discuss Greenland security and sovereignty
The Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, had a phone conversation with President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday to discuss strengthening the security of Greenland and the Arctic, as reported by the office of the Danish government leader. This was their first conversation following Trump's controversial remarks concerning Greenland.
According to the office of Mette Frederiksen, the conversation with Trump lasted 45 minutes. During this time, the Danish Prime Minister informed Trump that, Denmark is ready to take even greater responsibility in terms of the security of Greenland and the Arctic. She also reiterated the statement from Greenland's Prime Minister, Mute Egede, who confirmed that the island, currently dependent on Denmark, is not for sale, and Greenland will independently decide on its sovereignty.
Frederiksen also discussed the contribution of Danish companies to economic growth and job creation in the USA. She assured Trump that the European Union and the United States have a shared interest in strengthening trade relations. The conversation also touched upon Russia's conflict with Ukraine and relations with China.
Denmark open to a greater US military presence in Greenland
In a statement to the Danish public broadcaster DR, Frederiksen confirmed that the government in Copenhagen is open to a greater U.S. military presence in Greenland. She recalled the 1951 U.S.-Danish agreement that guarantees the U.S. direct access to the island. She stressed that neither the United States nor European nations, including Denmark, support any involvement by countries like Russia in Greenland.
Located in Greenland is the American air base Thule, which was renamed in 2023 to a Space Forces base.
This was the first conversation between Frederiksen and Trump after the American President-elect's statements suggesting the acquisition of Greenland. He did not dismiss the possibility of using force or economic pressure against Denmark in the form of tariffs.
