Danish PM says European support received against Trump’s Greenland Push
Mette Fredericseen says that ‘there is no reason to believe that there is a military threat to Greenland or Denmark’.
Danish Prime Minister Metet Fredericseen says the country has received enough support from fellow European countries as it seeks support for the United States President Donald Trump to combat the dangers to control Greenland.
Trump has stated that the Arctic island – an autonomous Danish region – is important for US national security and refused to rule using military forces to acquire the region.
Fredericksen visited three European capitals on Tuesday, meeting French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Sholaz and NATO general secretary Mark Rute.
“I have no reason to believe that there is a military threat to Greenland or Denmark,” Fredericseen told Danish media before a meeting with Rutte at Brussels on Tuesday.
Speaking with Macron first in Paris, the Danish Prime Minister told reporters that he had received a “big deal of support” from Europe.
Chancellor Sholaz, who met with Fredericseen, also emphasized that “boundaries should not be transferred by force”. He also said that “the time we live is challenging” and emphasized the need for a strong Europe and NATO.
The Danish Prime Minister praised the consensus, saying, “This is a very, very clear message … It should, of course, be respected for the sovereignty of the region and states.”
Meetings come on the heels of a Nordic summit over the weekend, where all leaders shared concern about the situation, according to Fredericseen.
Copenhagen also announced this week that it would allocate 14.6 billion chronners ($ 2BN) to increase its defense spending in the region. Funding will pay for three new frigates and long distance drones with advanced imaging technology. The country has also planned to increase its satellite capabilities.
Trump has long expressed interest in achieving Greenland, an Arctic island is considered rich in unaccounted minerals and oil resources. Earlier this month, he did not refuse to use force or use tariffs to acquire a Danish autonomous region.
On Saturday, Trump told reporters that he believes that the US would eventually “Greenland”, which he sees as a valuable area because the melting Arctic ice opens new shipping routes.
Denmark Foreign Minister Larse Lokek Rasmusen pushed back firmly against the comment saying “Trump would not have Greenland”.
Greenland’s Minister of Trade and Justice, Naza Nathanilson, told the AFP news agency that the US has maintained a military attendance on the island for 80 years.
Greenland “does not oppose it”, she told the outlet.
However, he emphasized that if Trump’s intentions were expanded, “We are a democracy, we are all partners, and we ask our colleagues to respect our institutions”.
Nathanilson stated that Greenlandic people were living through a “worrying time” and “worried” about Trump’s comments.
While Greenland has long sought independence from Denmark, it remains open to trade with America.
After Trump’s inauguration, Greenland Prime Minister Mute EZ said Greenlanders “don’t want to be American”.
