Trump’s Controversial Greenland Ambitions Cause Tensions with Denmark

In a tense phone call just before his inauguration, President Trump expressed a desire for the U.S. to take over Greenland, prompting Denmark to seek calm amid rising tensions and concerns over potential economic repercussions.

In a notable pre-inauguration exchange, President Trump alarmingly communicated with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, asserting the United States’ interest in taking control of Greenland. This conversation unfolded five days before Trump’s official inauguration and was characterized by European officials as contentious and aggressive.

During the 45-minute call reported to take place on January 15, President Trump was firm in his stance on acquiring the vast, autonomous Danish territory, which is strategically positioned in the Arctic, particularly as climate change unveils new shipping routes. Despite his intentions, Prime Minister Frederiksen maintained that Greenland, which already hosts a significant U.S. military base, is not for sale and suggested that both nations should focus on enhancing military and economic cooperation.

Denmark has since been proactive in managing the situation, requesting European Union allies to refrain from escalating tensions until the intentions of the U.S. government become clearer. Notably, the Greenland topic is absent from the agenda for an upcoming E.U. foreign affairs council meeting. Analysts, such as Zaki Laïdi from Sciences Po, indicate that if the Trump administration pursues economic pressure against Denmark, they may face widespread countermeasures from the European Union.

As concerns simmer over the implications of Trump's remarks, Denmark seeks to navigate this potential diplomatic incident cautiously while maintaining its sovereignty and strengthening international relations.