Denmark says there’s ‘no foreign policy crisis’, US concerns over Greenland ‘legitimate’
COPENHAGEN, Denmark
Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen on Wednesday downplayed concerns over a foreign policy crisis following US President-elect Donald Trump’s refusal to rule out military or economic coercion to take over Greenland.
“I have no idea if we are in a foreign policy crisis. It is entirely legitimate for the American side to be concerned, and the Kingdom of Denmark must also be aware of them,” Rasmussen told the media in Copenhagen.
Rasmussen made these remarks in response to a couple of controversial statements made by Trump, including one on Tuesday in which he refused to rule out using military force to take control of the Panama Canal and Greenland.
“I can’t assure you, you’re talking about Panama and Greenland. No, I can’t assure you on either of those two, but I can say this, we need them for economic security,” Trump told reporters during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate. “I’m not going to commit to that.”
On Monday, Trump, who will be inaugurated on January 20, reignited the contentious proposal on his Truth Social platform, declaring that “Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!”
Rasmussen, however, responded to such statements about Greenland’s legitimate desire for greater independence by emphasizing the importance of addressing American concerns through close cooperation with Greenland.
“As the world looks right now, it is natural for the United States to turn its attention to the Arctic,” he said.
The top Danish diplomat cited the melting Arctic as a key factor attracting international attention, with new shipping routes opening and increasing great power rivalry.
“Unfortunately, alongside the melting Arctic, we are seeing heightened competition, with Russia rearming in the region and China showing growing interest,” he remarked.
The minister acknowledged the Arctic’s strategic importance but reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to working collaboratively within the Commonwealth framework to overcome challenges.
Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reiterated Denmark’s firm stance on Greenland’s autonomy following renewed calls by Trump for an American takeover of the Arctic territory.
“My standpoint and the government’s standpoint are very clear: the future of Greenland will be defined in Greenland. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders,” Frederiksen told TV2.
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