Donald Trump’s recent, increasingly aggressive comments about potentially taking Greenland for the U.S. have raised serious concerns in Denmark, according to former Danish Prime Minister and NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
Speaking with POLITICO from Copenhagen, Rasmussen expressed his dismay, calling it “shameless” that a U.S. president would threaten one of its closest and most reliable allies. “I am concerned,” he added, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Trump first floated the idea of acquiring Greenland during his first presidential term, but it has resurfaced more frequently during his second. In a recent interview, Trump even left the door open for using force to secure the island, which has a population of about 57,000 and is part of the Danish kingdom. “I don’t rule it out,” he told NBC’s Meet the Press on May 4. “We need Greenland very badly. It’s a small population, and we’ll take care of them. But we need it for international security.”
Adding to the tension, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump has ordered U.S. intelligence agencies to step up their efforts in the Arctic region, including Greenland. In response, Denmark summoned the U.S. ambassador to express its concerns.
Meanwhile, White House officials are exploring a potential “Compact of Free Association” with Greenland, similar to agreements the U.S. has with Pacific nations like Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. Under such an arrangement, the U.S. would offer military protection, essential services, and largely duty-free trade to Greenland, while the island would retain its independence.
However, Rasmussen made it clear that Greenland is unequivocally a part of Denmark, and its people are not interested in becoming Americans. He reminded everyone that under a 1951 treaty, the U.S. has the right to establish military bases on the island, but that U.S. military presence in Greenland has dwindled in recent years.
Rasmussen further emphasized that Greenland is a member of NATO and, if the U.S. has concerns about its defense, Denmark would welcome strengthened defense cooperation.
