Donald Trump reportedly expressed serious interest in acquiring Greenland during a tense phone conversation with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, as disclosed by senior European officials. The call lasted 45 minutes, during which Frederiksen reiterated that Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, was not for sale, while acknowledging the United States’ significant interest in the region.
According to five current and former senior European officials briefed about the conversation, the exchange took a confrontational turn after Frederiksen’s assertion that Greenland would remain under Danish control. They described the discussion as “horrendous,” with one official noting it felt like a “cold shower,” indicating that previously perceived joking or negotiating tactics were now taken seriously and posed potential risks.
The content of the call raises alarms regarding Trump’s potential re-emergence in power and its implications for transatlantic relations. He has shown a keen interest in Greenland, along with other territories such as the Panama Canal and Canada, framing such interests as national security requirements in light of competition from Russia and China in the Arctic.
European officials had initially speculated that Trump’s remarks about Greenland were meant to leverage influence regarding NATO discussions, but the call with Frederiksen appeared to dispel these hopes. One official mentioned that the Danish officials are now in “crisis mode” as a response to Trump’s clear intentions.
The conversation also featured threats of specific measures against Denmark, including targeted tariffs, although Frederiksen’s office contested the accounts from anonymous sources regarding the tone and content of the discussion. Greenland, with a small population of 57,000, is strategically located and is home to valuable natural resources.
A spokesperson from the White House National Security Council underscored that Trump is committed to safeguarding U.S. interests in the Arctic, asserting that the safety of Greenland is vital as geopolitical rivals increase their investments in the area. Trump has previously indicated a willingness to impose duties on Denmark should there be opposition regarding Greenland, even leaving open the possibility of military action to assert control over the island.
Múte Egede, the prime minister of Greenland, has highlighted the islanders’ preference for independence over allegiance to the U.S. or Denmark, although he is receptive to American investment in sectors like mining and tourism. In light of Trump’s threats, Frederiksen recently convened with CEOs of major Danish companies to strategize around the implications of potential tariffs.
In response to the ongoing discussions, Frederiksen remarked that the interest surrounding Greenland is unmistakably large, reinforcing that the conversation with Trump was consistent with what has been publicly conveyed about the significance of the territory.
photo credit: www.ft.com
