Denmark is not just taking extraordinary diplomatic action. This comes on the heels of news that people connected to former President Donald Trump have been running shadowy influence operations in Greenland. This semi-autonomous Danish territory occupies a key position in the Arctic. It has been basking in the limelight, largely because of Trump’s previous interest in purchasing it.
The Danish Foreign Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, summoned the top U.S. diplomat in Denmark for discussions regarding these troubling reports. Now at least three other figures closely associated with Trump are toiling away on his behalf in Greenland. Their purpose is to weaken the political ties between Denmark and the Greenlandic community.
Rasmussen underscored the need for collaboration on issues facing both Greenland and mainland Denmark. He continued, saying that this relationship “is intimate and built on confidentiality.” The Danish Foreign Ministry, too, has expressed strong concerns about outside efforts to influence Greenland’s future. They spelled out their determination to not allow outside interference in the Kingdom’s internal affairs.
The Danish public broadcaster DR broke the story about the secret missions aimed at undermining Denmark’s alliance within the region. They grounded their conclusions on all available information from eight data points which included government and security officials from Denmark and undisclosed sources from Greenland and the U.S. Greenland’s strategic position in the Arctic makes its future a sensitive topic, further complicating the relationship between Denmark and external actors.
Rasmussen reinforced Denmark and Greenland’s position on the issue, unequivocally declaring that “Greenland is not for sale.” During his testimony, he warned that foreign actors are still keenly interested in Greenland. He added, “We know that foreign actors remain very, very interested in Greenland and its place in the Kingdom of Denmark.”
Rasmussen stressed the critical nature of the situation during a recent press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia. This was the 30th anniversary of the original run on April 21, 2025. He argued that cooperation is the best way to safeguard Greenland’s heritage and interests. He said that any external efforts to take control of its operations should be opposed with fierce advocacy.
Denmark, a NATO ally of the United States, seeks to maintain its sovereignty over Greenland while ensuring that its relationships remain strong amid these emerging challenges. As tensions continue to transform, each nation must learn to weave through this winding path, prioritizing respect and partnership above all else.
