Danish Prime Minister's Urgent EU Tour in Response to Greenland Tensions

As unease grows over US politics and Greenland's status, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has embarked on a pivotal diplomatic trip across Europe to garner backing from key allies.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen recently embarked on a crucial diplomatic tour across Europe, meeting with political leaders in Berlin, Paris, and Brussels. This whirlwind trip comes closely on the heels of renewed interest from former US President Donald Trump regarding Greenland, which has sparked concerns within Denmark.

During her visits, Frederiksen met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and NATO leader Mark Rutte to discuss various pressing global issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and concerning hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea stemming from Russia. However, the underlying cause for her hurried travels appears to be the rising anxiety within Denmark over Trump's continuous remarks about acquiring Greenland for national security purposes.

Greenland, an autonomous territory under Danish rule, first drew Trump's attention in 2019 when he expressed interest in purchasing the island—a notion that was swiftly rebuffed by Frederiksen. Trump has recently reiterated his ambitions, stating, "I think we're going to have it," raising alarms in Denmark's political circles.

In response to these developments, Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede made it clear last week that the people of Greenland do not desire American affiliation. During a press conference following her meeting with Scholz, Frederiksen and her counterpart avoided directly addressing Trump or the Greenland issue. They emphasized the principle of respecting international borders and sovereignty.

Frederiksen, while reassuring observers that there is no military threat perceived towards Greenland or Denmark, expressed gratitude for the support received from her European allies. In Brussels, she pointed out the need to enhance defense strategies in the Arctic, a sentiment echoed by Rutte.

Frederiksen aptly sidestepped the topic of Greenland during her discussions, but her foreign minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, explicitly stated that Trump would "not have Greenland," highlighting the local sentiment on the matter. Rasmussen underscored the international legal standing of the Greenlandic people, symbolizing Denmark’s firm stance against U.S. acquisition attempts.

Danish opposition MP Rasmus Jarlov remarked that many Americans misconstrue Greenland's desires, claiming that the plight for independence from Denmark does not equate to a wish to become American. With Denmark announcing a significant investment of 14.6 billion kroner ($2.05 billion) for enhanced Arctic security, it is clear that the nation is taking proactive measures amidst rising geopolitical tensions in the region.

In these uncertain times marked by shifting alliances and political commentary, Denmark is navigating a complex landscape, balancing its long-standing partnership with the US while safeguarding the sovereignty of Greenland and its people.