Frederiksen's meetings with EU leaders indicate collective European support for Denmark's sovereignty amidst Trump's renewed acquisition claims of Greenland.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's Diplomatic Mission Amid Greenland Tensions
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's Diplomatic Mission Amid Greenland Tensions
Danish PM visits European capitals as concerns over US interest in Greenland escalate.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen undertook a significant diplomatic journey across Europe, meeting with leaders in Berlin, Paris, and Brussels as concerns heightened over US President Donald Trump's reiterated interest in acquiring Greenland. The trip was marked by discussions that veered into sensitive territory, reflecting the unease experienced within Denmark following Trump's comments about Greenland, which is an autonomous Danish territory.
In Berlin, Frederiksen met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, while in Paris, she engaged with French President Emmanuel Macron. Our sources indicated that discussions ranged from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine to addressing emerging hybrid threats posed by Russia in the Baltic Sea, although the underlying tension regarding Greenland lingered throughout the trip.
Trump has lifted concerns in Denmark by expressing ambitions to purchase the Arctic territory, citing national security interests, and leaving the door open to different tactics to achieve this aim. During his remarks, he stated, “I think we’re going to have it,” highlighting the gravity of his proposition. Despite Trump's statements, Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede reaffirmed that the people of Greenland desire independence from Denmark rather than a transition to American governance.
In joint news conferences, neither Scholz nor Frederiksen delved into the topic of Greenland or addressed Trump's assertions directly; instead, they discussed mutual commitments to the sanctity of national borders. Scholz remarked that all nations should respect territorial integrity—a comment many interpreted as an indirect rebuttal to Trump’s remarks.
Frederiksen later acknowledged receiving significant backing from her European counterparts, clarifying that "there must be respect for territory and the sovereignty of states." In Brussels, she moved to quell fears about military threats, insisting, "I have no reason to believe that there is any military threat to Greenland or Denmark."
She firmly maintained that the US remains Denmark's strongest ally; however, she recognized an impending shift in how collaborations may unfold under the Trump administration, commenting: "It will be a different collaboration now." Diplomatically, both Frederiksen and Mark Rutte, NATO’s Secretary-General, agreed on the necessity to bolster Arctic defense capabilities.
The Danish government's official stance has been assertive about Greenland's right to self-determination. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen emphasized that Trump's aspirations for Greenland will not be entertained, stating, “The Greenlandic people are a people, also in the sense of international law.” When questioned about viable pathways for Trump to realize his ambitions, he did not provide any suggestions, indicating a national consensus against relinquishing Greenland to American sovereignty.
In light of the ongoing discussions regarding Greenland's role and security, Denmark recently announced a significant investment of 14.6 billion kroner ($2.05 billion) to enhance defensive measures in the Arctic, in collaboration with both Greenland and the Faroe Islands. As Denmark and Greenland navigate these complex geopolitical waters, the message to the international community remains clear: sovereignty and self-determination are paramount for Greenlanders.
