According to informed officials, the call went very poorly. Although the Danish Prime Minister expressed a willingness to strengthen cooperation in military bases and mineral development, Trump became "aggressive" after she stated that the island was not for sale. Trump also threatened to take specific measures against Denmark, such as targeted tariffs.
Recently, according to the Global Times, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen made a statement on Social Media, emphasizing Denmark's position on the Greenland issue and revealing that she had a 45-minute phone conversation with Trump a few days ago, but this conversation did not reassure her about Trump's intentions.
According to multiple senior European officials cited by the media, this phone call was "full of tension", and the two sides had a heated dispute over the ownership of Greenland. Frederiksen stated that she emphasized Greenland's status as an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark during the call and clearly stated that the island is "not for sale". At the same time, she also noted the USA's "strong interest" in Greenland.
Five knowledgeable current and former senior European officials said that the conversation went very poorly. They indicated that although the Danish prime minister expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation on military bases and mineral development, Trump became "aggressive" after she stated that the island is not for sale.
"He was very tough. It felt like a bucket of cold water was poured over us. Before, it was difficult for us to take this matter seriously, but now I believe it is serious and may be very dangerous."
A former Danish official added that it was a very difficult conversation, with Trump threatening to take specific actions against Denmark, such as targeted tariffs.
Analysts believe that the exposure of these phone call details is likely to deepen Europe's concerns that the transatlantic relationship will become even more strained after Trump returns to the White House, as Trump has already begun to pressure for the consideration of taking over Greenland, the Panama Canal, and even Canada.
Many European officials previously hoped that Trump's rhetoric seeking control of Greenland under the guise of National Security was merely a negotiation strategy aimed at gaining more influence over this NATO territory. However, this conversation with Frederiksen shattered those hopes and deepened the diplomatic crisis among NATO allies, leaving the "Danish people in panic."
Greenland has abundant but hard-to-exploit mineral resources, with a population of only 57,000, and it is also the entrance to the gradually opening Arctic shipping routes. A spokesperson for the National Security Council of the White House stated:
“President Trump has made it clear that with significant investments from Russia and others throughout the Arctic region, the security of Greenland is important to the USA. The President is committed not only to protecting American interests in the Arctic but also to cooperating with Greenland to ensure mutual prosperity for both countries.”
Trump also stated, “If Denmark has any legitimate rights to Greenland, they should relinquish them because we need it to secure National Security.”
Previously, Greenland's Prime Minister Múte Egede has emphasized multiple times that the island's residents wish to be independent, rather than becoming citizens of the USA or Denmark. However, he welcomed the interest of American companies in mining and tourism.
Editor/ping