Danish PM calls US threats to Greenland “absolutely absurd” after Trump says America “absolutely” needs the strategic Arctic territory
COPENHAGEN: Denmark has called on the United States to stop “threatening” Greenland after President Donald Trump reiterated his desire to acquire the strategic Arctic territory.
The call follows Washington’s military intervention in Venezuela, which has reignited fears over Trump’s long-stated ambition to annex Greenland.
“I have to say this very clearly to the United States: it is absolutely absurd to say that the United States should take control of Greenland,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a statement.
She urged Washington to stop “threatening its historical ally”.
In an interview with The Atlantic magazine, Trump was asked about the implications of the Venezuela operation for Greenland.
“They are going to have to view it themselves. I really don’t know,” Trump was quoted as saying.
He added: “But we do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defence.”
Trump has previously claimed annexing Greenland would serve US national security interests due to its Arctic location and rich deposits of critical minerals.
The controversy was further inflamed by a social media post from Katie Miller, wife of Trump’s influential aide Stephen Miller.
Her post featured an image of Greenland in the colours of the US flag with the single word “SOON”.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen called the post “disrespectful”.
“Relations between nations and peoples are built on mutual respect and international law — not on symbolic gestures that disregard our status and our rights,” he stated.
He added that “there is neither reason for panic nor for concern. Our country is not for sale”.
Denmark’s ambassador to the US, Jesper Moeller Soerensen, responded with a “friendly reminder” that Denmark is a close NATO ally.
“We expect full respect for the territorial integrity” of Denmark, he wrote, linking to Miller’s contentious image.
The ambassador noted Denmark has “significantly boosted its Arctic security efforts” in cooperation with the US.
