Denmark Summons US Envoy after Americans ‘Linked to Trump Carried out Covert Operation to Promote Donald’s Plan to Take Over Greenland’
By KEVIN ADJEI-DARKO
Denmark has summoned the top US diplomat in Copenhagen after intelligence reports suggested that Americans linked to Donald Trump carried out a covert operation to promote the president’s plan to take over Greenland.
State broadcaster DR said unnamed sources told them the Danish government believed at least three US citizens with ties to Trump’s administration were involved in the mission.
Neither DR nor the Danish foreign ministry named the individuals mentioned in the reports.
Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said: ‘We are aware that foreign actors continue to show an interest in Greenland and its position in the Kingdom of Denmark.’
He added: ‘It is therefore not surprising if we experience outside attempts to influence the future of the Kingdom in the time ahead.’
The action follows earlier tensions between Denmark and the US over Greenland.
In March, US Vice President J.D. Vance visited Greenland but had to cancel public events after protests forced him to travel to a remote air base.
A planned visit for his wife to a dog sled race was also scrapped. Denmark has also paused a major offshore wind farm project run by Danish company Ørsted shortly after the visit, raising concerns over US interference.
State broadcaster DR said unnamed sources told them the Danish government believed at least three US citizens with links to Donald Trump’s administration were involved in efforts to promote Greenland leaving Denmark
Donald Trump has previously said he wants the US to take over Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory rich in minerals and strategically located in the Arctic
In January, the US president’s son, Don Jr., travelled to Greenland. There is no suggestion that he is involved in the covert operations to influence the takeover plans
Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Denmark’s foreign minister, said: ‘We are aware that foreign actors continue to show an interest in Greenland and its position in the Kingdom of Denmark.’
Denmark’s national security and intelligence service, PET, warned that Greenland is a likely target for influence campaigns.
It said: ‘Greenland, especially in the current situation, is a target for influence campaigns of various kinds.’
PET added that efforts could ‘exploit existing or invented disagreements, for example, in connection with known single issues or by promoting or reinforcing certain views in Greenland regarding the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States or other countries with a special interest in Greenland.’
Donald Trump has previously said he wants the US to take over Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory rich in minerals and strategically located in the Arctic.
He has not ruled out the use of force to secure it. His proposal was firmly rejected in Copenhagen and Nuuk, Greenland’s capital.
Trump later said he respected Greenland’s right to determine its own future, but his earlier comments about possibly taking the island by force created unease among its 57,000 residents.
Greenland’s leaders have made it clear the territory will never be for sale. The prime minister said: ‘We will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by anyone.’
In response, Denmark has strengthened its ties with Greenland and sought European support to counterbalance US interests.
In March, US Vice President J.D. Vance visited Greenland but had to cancel public events after protests forced him to travel to a remote air base
Denmark has strengthened its ties with Greenland and sought European support to counterbalance US interests
Trump has nominated PayPal co-founder Ken Howery as the next US ambassador to Denmark, but the post remains unfilled. Meanwhile, Mark Stroh, pictured, is acting as chargé d’affaires
French President Emmanuel Macron visited Greenland in June and was welcomed by hundreds of locals. That was a sharp contrast to the reception for Vice President Vance, who faced protests during his visit in March.
Denmark has also increased its Arctic defence spending to more than $1.5 billion, buying drones, vessels, and upgrading facilities to improve Greenland’s security.
The US embassy in Copenhagen has not responded to requests for comment.
Trump has nominated PayPal co-founder Ken Howery as the next US ambassador to Denmark, but the post remains unfilled. Meanwhile, Mark Stroh is acting as chargé d’affaires.
Analysts say foreign influence campaigns often exploit real or made-up divisions and push divisive narratives to weaken the relationship between Denmark and Greenland.
