The US president talked to Mette Frederixen, Prime Minister Denmark, 45 minutes last week. The White House did not comment on that invitation, but Frederixen said that it was clear that the huge Arctic island – which is the autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark, although it recognized that the United States show “great interest” for him.
Five current and former high European officials, familiar with the conversation, said the Financial Times that the conversation went very bad.
According to their words, Trump was aggressive and confronting after the Danish Prime Minister reiterated that the island was not for sale, despite its offer for the expansion of cooperation in the military bases and mineral exploitation. “It was awful,” one of the sources said. Others added: “He was very determined. It was a cold shower. It was a hard time to take his request seriously, but now I think it is serious and potentially very dangerous.”
Details of this conversation are likely to further deepen concerns in Europe that Trump’s return to power will seriously violate transatlantic relations, while the US president increases the allys to give up the territory. Trump started his second term expressing interest in taking Greenland, the Panaman Channel, and even Canada.
Many European officials had hoped that his statements about gaining control over Greenland for the “reasons of national security” only the negotiating trick to strengthen the American influence on NATO’s territory. But Russia and China are also racing for positions in the Arctic.
However, the conversation with Frederixen destroyed these hopes and deepened the foreign policy crisis between the NATO allies. “The intention was very clear. They want it. Danes are now in a state of crisis,” said one of the sources of the acquaintance with the invitation. Others added: “Danes are completely frozen for this.”
The former Danish official said, “The conversation was very difficult. He threatened concrete measures against Denmark, such as the introduction of target tariffs.” From the Office of the Danish Prime Minister, they said “do not recognize the interpretation of the conversation that conveyed anonymous sources.”
Greenland, island with only 57 thousand inhabitants, is strategically important because it is an entrance to new ship routes that gradually open through the Arctic, and it is rich and difficult to access minerals, index.hr.
“President Trump clearly made that the safety and protection of Greenland is extremely important for the United States, while China and Russia generate significant investments in the Arctic region,” said the National House National House Safety Council.
“The president is dedicated to not only protect American interests in the Arctic but also cooperation with Greenland to ensure mutual prosperity for both nations.”
Trump threatened to introduce Customs to Denmark in early January if he opposed his plans for Greenland. He also did not exclude the possibility of military action to take over the island.
“People really know if Denmark is right at Greenland at all, but if he has, he should surrender him because we need it for national security,” Trump at the press conference for a few days before taking over the mandate.
“I’m talking about the protection of the free world,” he added.
“Chinese ships are everywhere. Russian ships are everywhere. We will not allow it.”
Múte Egede, Prime Minister Greenland, has highlighted that the inhabitants of the island want independence, not American or Danish citizenship. However, he greeted the interest of American mining companies and tourism.
Frederixen held a meeting last week with the leaders of the largest Danish companies, including Novo Nordisk and Carlsberg, to discuss Trump threats, including possible customs against Denmark.
On the day of talks with Trump, Frederixen stated in Danish Television TV2: “There is no doubt that there is great interest in Greenland. Based on today’s conversation, there is no reason to believe that this interest is less than what we heard in public hearings.”
(Vijesti.ba)
