Danes find it difficult to react to Trump’s Greenland threat.
Copenhagen’s bleak January weather mirrors the somber mood among Denmark’s politicians and business leaders. The country is grappling with Donald Trump’s threats to acquire Greenland and impose heavy tariffs if Denmark resists.
“We take this situation very, very seriously,” said Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen regarding Trump’s provocative stance. However, he emphasized that Denmark had “no ambition whatsoever to escalate a war of words.”
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen sought to downplay Trump’s suggestion that the US might use military force to seize Greenland. “I can’t imagine it ever coming to that,” she assured Danish TV.
Similarly, Lars Sandahl Sorensen, CEO of Danish Industry, urged calm, noting, “No one has any interest in a trade war.” Yet, behind the scenes, high-level meetings have been held all week in Copenhagen, reflecting the shock caused by Trump’s remarks.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede flew in to meet both Frederiksen and King Frederik X on Wednesday. The following evening, party leaders from across the political spectrum convened for an extraordinary crisis meeting in Denmark’s parliament.
Frederiksen has maintained a conciliatory tone, often referring to the US as “Denmark’s closest partner.” She acknowledged that US interest in the Arctic and Greenland was “only natural,” but stressed that Greenland’s future should be decided by its people alone: “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders… they must define their own future.
Her approach reflects a dual strategy. On one hand, she aims to avoid escalating tensions, recalling the fallout in 2019 when Trump canceled a trip to Denmark after she called his proposal to buy Greenland “absurd.” “Back then, he only had a year left in office,” noted veteran political journalist Erik Holstein. “But perhaps this is the new normal.”
On the other hand, Frederiksen’s comments underscore Denmark’s resolve not to interfere in Greenland’s internal affairs. Greenland is an autonomous territory with its own parliament, and its population increasingly leans towards independence.
Opposition MP Rasmus Jarlov criticized Frederiksen for not outright rejecting the idea. “This level of disrespect from the incoming US president towards loyal allies is unprecedented,” he said, although he admitted Trump’s assertiveness had “surprised everybody.
Jarlov also argued that Frederiksen’s insistence on Greenland’s autonomy placed undue pressure on its inhabitants. “It would have been prudent to firmly state that Denmark opposes a US takeover,” he asserted.
The Greenland question is particularly delicate for Denmark, given its colonial past. Recently, Denmark officially apologized for a 1950s social experiment that removed Inuit children from their families. Last week, Greenland’s leader called for liberation from “the shackles of colonialism,” tapping into growing nationalist sentiment.
An independence referendum in Greenland seems likely, though it could pose new challenges. About 60% of Greenland’s economy depends on Denmark. “An independent Greenland would need to make tough choices,” said Karsten Honge of the Green Left. He fears that his vision of a new Commonwealth-style pact “based on equality and democracy” may not materialize.
Sitting in his office adorned with Inuit art, Honge noted that Greenland would need to decide “how much it values independence.” Turning to the US could undermine that independence, he warned.
Jarlov contended that Greenland is “very close to being independent already,” though it relies on Denmark for currency management, foreign relations, and defense, along with substantial subsidies. “Greenland today has more independence than Denmark has from the EU,” he added, urging careful consideration of independence.
Frederiksen’s delicate balancing act has garnered strong support from EU leaders. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the inviolability of borders, while French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot pledged the EU’s support for Denmark against any threats to its sovereignty.
These statements reflect deep EU concern over handling the Trump presidency. “This isn’t just serious for Greenland and Denmark; it’s serious for the world,” said MP Karsten Honge. The prospect of a world without international agreements looms large, he warned.
Denmark’s trade sector is also bracing for potential fallout. Trump’s threat to impose steep tariffs could significantly impact Denmark’s economy. A 2024 study by Danish Industry predicted a three-point GDP drop if the US levied 10% tariffs on EU imports.
Trade professionals are preparing for various outcomes, recognizing the challenge of singling out Danish products from broader EU goods. Retaliatory EU measures are likely if Trump follows through on his threats.
As Trump’s inauguration nears, Danes hope his attention will shift away from Greenland. However, the possibility of military intervention remains a troubling prospect.
“The US could easily pressure Denmark,” said Honge, half-jokingly suggesting a small US battleship could suffice. “The final question would be: Denmark, what are you going to do about it?”
“That’s the new reality with Trump,” he concluded.
