Danish PM Addresses Greenland Tensions in EU Tour

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen embarks on a crucial European tour as tensions rise over US President Trump's continued interest in acquiring Greenland, focusing on preserving national sovereignty and Arctic security.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen embarked on a whirlwind tour of three European capitals on Tuesday, seeking to address rising unease over US President Donald Trump's persistent interest in acquiring Greenland. The visit comes just days after Trump reiterated his belief that the US will "get Greenland" for national security reasons.

During her one-day journey, Frederiksen held talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, and NATO leader Mark Rutte in Brussels. While discussions spanned critical issues like Ukraine and hybrid threats stemming from Russia, the context of Frederiksen's trip was underscored by the sensitivity surrounding Trump's comments about the Arctic island, an autonomous territory of Denmark.

Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede has recently made it clear that the territory's residents do not wish to become American, further complicating the narrative. At a press conference post-meeting with Scholz, neither leader explicitly referred to the Greenland situation. However, Scholz's comments about respecting territorial integrity were interpreted as a nod to the gravity of the issue, particularly in light of recent Russian invasions in Ukraine.

In Paris, Frederiksen expressed gratitude for the backing received from her European partners, emphasizing a collective understanding that territorial sovereignty should be honored. At her final stop in Brussels, she reiterated her stance that there was currently no military threat to either Greenland or Denmark.

Frederiksen acknowledged the US as Denmark's closest ally but hinted at an evolving relationship, stating that European collaboration would differ under the Trump administration. The discussions revealed mutual recognition among allies regarding the need to bolster defenses in the Arctic region.

While Frederiksen steered clear of directly addressing Trump's intentions regarding Greenland, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen was more forthright, publicly stating that Trump would not obtain Greenland. He underscored the island's status as a distinct people under international law and dismissed the notion that an invasion could be a viable option, a sentiment echoed by opposition lawmaker Rasmus Jarlov who contended that Greenlanders do not aspire to become American.

In a move to reinforce its Arctic security posture, Denmark announced plans to invest 14.6 billion kroner (approximately $2.05 billion) in collaboration with Greenland and the Faroe Islands, affirming its commitment to regional stability amidst growing geopolitical tensions.