Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen reacted only with great reserve to the tariffs promised by American President Donald Trump. The announcement was “surprising,” said Rasmussen on Saturday evening. After all, the purpose of the increased military presence in Greenland, to which the President refers, is precisely to increase security in the Arctic, said Rasmussen.
Denmark’s foreign minister was in Washington on Wednesday together with his Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt for talks with American Vice President JD Vance and American Secretary of State Marco Rubio. No agreement was reached on Greenland, but the meeting was reported to have been constructive. It was agreed to form a working group and discuss the issue further. Given Vance’s previously very sharp tone, the outcome of the conversation was considered positive. Vance and Rubio did not make any further allegations against Denmark afterwards.
Dashed hopes
As a result, there was at least a cautious hope in Denmark that the crisis could be solved diplomatically – even if it remained completely unclear how Trump’s demand to take over Greenland could be compatible with Copenhagen’s clear rejection. But given the escalation, the efforts now appear to have failed. Obviously, according to the view in Copenhagen, neither Vance nor Rubio has any say in the matter. In addition, there is now a threat of a trade war against the entire EU.
Denmark’s Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen was also hopeful last week about the announced further dialogue on Greenland. On Saturday evening he announced: President Trump’s threats against Denmark, Greenland and their NATO allies are completely unacceptable.
The other Nordic states show solidarity
Finland’s President Alexander Stub also clearly distanced himself from Trump. He was recently considered one of the few European heads of state and government whose advice Trump listened to. Now Stubb announced that Finland supports Denmark and Greenland. European countries stand united and emphasize the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty. “The best way to resolve issues among allies is through conversation, not pressure.”
“We will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed,” said Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. Only Denmark and Greenland decide on issues that concern Denmark and Greenland, said Kristersson. “I will always stand up for my country and for our allied neighbors.” It is an EU matter that affects many more countries than those now named by Trump. Sweden is currently holding intensive discussions with other EU countries, Norway and Great Britain to find a common answer, said Kristersson. Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also said that such threats were unacceptable and had no place among allies. “Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.” Norway supported the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the kingdom.
Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland, along with Germany, the Netherlands, France and Great Britain, are affected by the fact that Trump wants to impose tariffs of ten percent on all goods coming from these countries from February 1st. If no agreement is reached for a US purchase of the Danish Arctic island, tariffs will rise to 25 percent from June 1st.
All eight countries recently sent soldiers to Greenland in parallel with Rasmussen’s trip to Washington. This happened at Denmark’s request. According to Defense Minister Poulsen, it serves to strengthen security in the Arctic. Trump sharply criticized the deployments. “Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Finland traveled to Greenland for unknown purposes,” he wrote. This is a “very dangerous situation” for the safety, security and survival of the planet.
On Saturday there were several demonstrations in Denmark and Greenland against the American president’s threats to take over Greenland.
