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Donald Trump insisted he was serious about taking over Greenland in a heated phone call with Denmark’s prime minister, European officials said.
The US president spoke for 45 minutes with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen last week. The White House did not comment on the call, but Frederiksen stressed that the vast Arctic island, an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, was not for sale and noted the United States’ “significant interest” in the island. .
Five current and former European officials briefed on the call said the conversation turned very ugly.
They also accused Trump of becoming aggressive and confrontational after Denmark’s prime minister said the island was not for sale, even as he offered more help with military bases and mineral development. added.
“It was horrible,” one resident said. Another added: “He was very solid. It was a cold shower. Before, it was difficult to take it seriously. But I consider it serious and potentially very dangerous. Masu.”
Details of the phone call deepen concerns in Europe that Trump’s return to power could strain transatlantic relations even more as the US president ramps up pressure on allies to give up territory. There is a possibility.
President Trump began his second term mulling the possibility of seizing Greenland, the Panama Canal, and even Canada.
Many European officials had hoped that his calls for control of Greenland on grounds of “national security” were a negotiating ploy to increase his influence over NATO territory. Russia and China are also competing for position in the Arctic.
But the phone call with Frederiksen dashed those hopes and deepened a foreign policy crisis between the NATO allies.
“The intention was very clear. They want it. The Danes are in crisis mode right now,” said one of the people briefed by phone. Another said: “Danes are completely surprised by this.”
The former Danish official added: “It was a very tough conversation. He threatened concrete measures against Denmark, including targeted tariffs.”
Denmark’s Prime Minister’s Office said: “The interpretation of the conversation by anonymous sources is not acceptable.”
With a population of just 57,000 people, Greenland is the gateway to new shipping routes that are gradually opening up through the Arctic. It also contains minerals that are abundant but difficult to obtain.
“President Trump has made it clear that the safety and security of Greenland is important to the United States, as China and Russia make significant investments throughout the Arctic region,” White House National Security Council spokesperson said. said.
“The President is committed not only to protecting U.S. interests in the Arctic, but also to working with Greenland to ensure the mutual prosperity of our two countries.”
In early January, President Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Denmark if it objected to the Greenland issue. He also did not rule out using military force to take control of the island.
“The people don’t even know if Denmark has a legal right to it, but if they do, they should give it up because it’s necessary for national security,” Trump said at a press conference just days before his inauguration. spoke.
“I’m talking about protecting the free world,” he added. “There are Chinese ships everywhere. There are Russian ships everywhere. We will not allow that.”
Greenland’s Prime Minister Moute Egede has repeatedly emphasized that the island’s residents prefer independence to U.S. or Danish citizenship. But he welcomes interest from American companies in mining and tourism.
Frederiksen met last week with chief executives of major Danish companies, including Novo Nordisk and Carlsberg, to discuss Trump’s threats, including potential tariffs against his country.
On the day of her phone call with President Trump, she told Denmark’s TV2: Based on the conversations I had today, there is no reason to believe it should be lower than what I heard in the public debate. ”
