Denmark’s prime minister has said Donald Trump is still “serious” about the US claim to Greenland, despite talks.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, Mette Frederiksen said Trump’s desire to own the semi-autonomous region of Denmark remained “exactly the same” despite a cooling in the US president’s rhetoric regarding his claims over the Arctic island.
Denmark and Greenland have begun technical talks on an Arctic security agreement, following Trump’s repeated plans for the region.
In January, Trump went so far as to threaten tariffs on Denmark and seven other allies, including the United Kingdom, if they opposed the US owning Greenland for national security purposes.
But a few days later, Trump backed away from his threats and said he and NATO’s Mark Rutte had agreed on “the framework of a future agreement” on the Arctic.
Greenland is the largest island in the world, with 80% covered by an ice sheet.
The mineral-rich island is home to the largest and northernmost US Space Base above the Arctic Circle and is located in an area of strategic military importance.
Since taking office, Trump has intensified his rhetoric, insisting that the United States will take the island at any cost and sending Vance on a visit there.
While his rhetoric about his claim to Greenland has faded in recent weeks, Frederiksen said she does not believe his threats to annex the island have disappeared and remains cautious.
“I think the American president’s desire is exactly the same,” she said.
“He takes this subject very seriously. And as you know, I disagree with him. And we disagree, of course, as the Kingdom of Denmark. And, by the way, Europe disagrees because we have received a lot of support and assistance. And I know some American friends disagree as well,” she added.
Commenting on whether she could put a price on Greenland, she said “of course not,” adding that “we have to respect sovereign states… and we have to respect the right of people to self-determination.” /Telegraph/