Danish Prime Minister Seeks European Unity Amid Greenland Tensions
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is making an impromptu visit to Berlin, Paris, and Brussels today to foster European unity in response to US President Donald Trump's ongoing suggestions to "acquire" Greenland.
In a statement given in Danish last night, she remarked, "Denmark is a small country with strong allies. And it is part of a strong European community where together we can meet the challenges we face. With war on the continent and changes in geopolitical reality, unity is crucial."
Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen indicated that intelligence services have elevated the threat level in the region, likely extending beyond the usual suspects of Russia and China.
Furthermore, the US represents Denmark's largest export market, prominently featuring pharmaceuticals, machinery, and technical equipment. Any disruption—possibly through tariffs advocated by Trump—could have severe repercussions, compelling the EU to retaliate as a unified bloc.
In comments to the Danish press this morning, Danish Parliament Speaker Søren Gade expressed that Trump's statements regarding Greenland felt "like a kick in the gut" following years of solid cooperation within NATO, where Danish forces participated in US missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
During a recent interview with the Politiken newspaper, Gade conveyed his usual trust in the US and its perspective on defence matters, yet admitted to being perplexed by the current diplomatic rift.
Amid concerns, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas attempted to downplay the situation, stating, "we are not negotiating on Greenland," and advising against speculation, as "this is not the situation right now."
The atmosphere remains tense, and Frederiksen is keen on mitigating risks, which explains her urgent travels across Europe.
On Tuesday morning, she stated, "we need a stronger and more resolute Europe, standing increasingly in its own right," reflecting on the escalating challenges posed by Russia and China.
