
THE GATEWAY PUNDIT | Published January 25, 2025
NATO member Denmark spent the last four years single-mindedly worried about the Russian danger, but was surprised by the territorial ambitions by the fest-moving US President Donald J. Trump.
After a telephone call between Trump and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, it has now been reported that the Danish Kingdom is in ‘crisis mode’ after Trump made a direct play for Greenland in a conversation being branded as ‘horrendous’.
The Telegraph reported:
“The US president spoke to Mette Frederiksen, the Danish premier, for 45 minutes last week and made clear he wanted to place Greenland under American control.”
Greenland is an autonomous Arctic territory owned by Denmark since 1814. But now, Trump wants it as a ‘valuable asset’ in the US’s competition against Russia and China.
“Ms. Frederiksen told him in their call last week that despite his ‘big interest’, Greenland was not for sale, the Financial Times reported. Mr. Trump then became ‘aggressive’, according to the newspaper, and threatened to impose tariffs on Denmark unless Greenland was sold to the US.”
Trump refused to rule out using military force to take Greenland, calling it a matter of ‘national security’ to own that Arctic base.
“Denmark has repeatedly ruled out selling Greenland, and argues that the territory’s 57,000 residents should be allowed to decide their nation’s political future.”
Greenland PM Mute Egede has said he is ready to talk.
“A source briefed on the call told the FT that the phone call was ‘horrendous’, while another said that Mr. Trump was ‘very firm’.”
Sources say Trump’s intent was manifested very clearly. The US wants it, and the Danes are now in ‘crisis mode’.
“Mr. Trump laid out his plans to take the territory earlier this month, arguing that the US ‘needed’ Greenland for ‘national security purposes’. He also said on his Truth Social platform that the nation’s residents ‘need safety, security, strength, and peace! This is a deal that must happen’, he said. ‘Make Greenland Great Again!’”
Military presence in Greenland could give the US an advantage in the competition for control of areas of the Arctic trade routes.
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SOURCE: www.thegatewaypundit.com
RELATED: Danish prime minister clashes with Trump over Greenland
US president tells Mette Frederiksen he is determined to take over Arctic island
Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen: Emphasised that the Arctic island was not for sale. Photograph: Vesa Moilanen/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images
THE IRISH TIMES | Published January 25, 2025
US president Donald Trump insisted he was serious in his determination to take over Greenland in a fiery telephone call with Denmark’s prime minister, senior European officials have said.
Mr Trump spoke to Mette Frederiksen, the Danish premier, for 45 minutes last week. The White House has not commented on the call but Ms Frederiksen said she had emphasised that the vast Arctic island – an autonomous part of the kingdom of Denmark – was not for sale, while noting the US’s “big interest” in it.
Five current and former senior European officials briefed on the call said the conversation had gone very badly.
They added that Mr Trump had been aggressive and confrontational following the Danish prime minister’s comments that the island was not for sale, despite her offer of more co-operation on military bases and mineral exploitation.
“It was horrendous,” said one of the people. Another added: “He was very firm. It was a cold shower. Before, it was hard to take it seriously. But I do think it is serious, and potentially very dangerous.”
The details of the call are likely to deepen European concerns that Mr Trump’s return to power will strain transatlantic ties more than ever, as the US president heaps pressure on allies to give up territory.
Mr Trump has started his second term musing about potentially taking over Greenland, the Panama Canal, and even Canada.
Many European officials had hoped his comments about seeking control of Greenland for “national security” reasons were a negotiating ploy to gain more influence over the Nato territory. Russia and China are also jostling for position in the Arctic.
But the call with Ms Frederiksen has crushed such hopes, deepening the foreign policy crisis between the Nato allies.
[ Greenland is the ‘large real-estate deal’ Trump doesn’t want to let slip away ]
“The intent was very clear. They want it. The Danes are now in crisis mode,” said one person briefed on the call. Another said: “The Danes are utterly freaked out by this.”
A former Danish official added: “It was a very tough conversation. He threatened specific measures against Denmark such as targeted tariffs.”
The Danish prime minister’s office said it did “not recognise the interpretation of the conversation given by anonymous sources”.
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SOURCE: www.irishtimes.com
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