Turin Turambar on Nostr: Donald Trump in fiery call with Denmark’s prime minister over Greenland Five ...
Donald Trump in fiery call with Denmark’s prime minister over Greenland
Five current and former senior European officials briefed on the call said the conversation had gone very badly.
They added that Trump had been aggressive and confrontational following the Danish prime minister’s comments that the island was not for sale, despite her offer of more co-operation on military bases and mineral exploitation.
“It was horrendous,” said one of the people. Another added: “He was very firm. It was a cold shower. Before, it was hard to take it seriously. But I do think it is serious, and potentially very dangerous.”
The details of the call are likely to deepen European concerns that Trump’s return to power will strain transatlantic ties more than ever, as the US president heaps pressure on allies to give up territory.
Trump has started his second term musing about potentially taking over Greenland, the Panama Canal, and even Canada.
Many European officials had hoped his comments about seeking control of Greenland for “national security” reasons were a negotiating ploy to gain more influence over the Nato territory. Russia and China are both also jostling for position in the Arctic. But the call with Frederiksen has crushed such hopes, deepening the foreign policy crisis between the Nato allies. “The intent was very clear. They want it. The Danes are now in crisis mode,” said one person briefed on the call. Another said: “The Danes are utterly freaked out by this.” A former Danish official added: “It was a very tough conversation. He threatened specific measures against Denmark such as targeted tariffs.”
Trump threatened in early January to impose duties on Denmark if it opposed him on Greenland. He also declined to rule out using military force to take control of the island. “People really don’t even know if Denmark has any legal right to it but, if they do, they should give it up because we need it for national security,” Trump said at a press conference days before taking office. “I’m talking about protecting the free world,” he added. “You have China ships all over the place. You have Russian ships all over the place. We’re not letting that happen.” Map of Greenland showing mineral and oil deposits
https://www.ft.com/content/ace02a6f-3307-43f8-aac3-16b6646b60f6?accessToken=zwAGLHk505cokdOs4CpvMwdD-NOqwxa2ZGtg9g.MEYCIQDw7YFU6H012tBnWG7ypVBleWI3x9GVUMySZwCXOUZK8AIhAKYoG4A-s5Az4UyUekLIbwZlDNOYRFCRqTtmp-15zkJJ&sharetype=gift&token=c41ff6fe-4f5e-47af-9b6e-daa6699f6d33
Five current and former senior European officials briefed on the call said the conversation had gone very badly.
They added that Trump had been aggressive and confrontational following the Danish prime minister’s comments that the island was not for sale, despite her offer of more co-operation on military bases and mineral exploitation.
“It was horrendous,” said one of the people. Another added: “He was very firm. It was a cold shower. Before, it was hard to take it seriously. But I do think it is serious, and potentially very dangerous.”
The details of the call are likely to deepen European concerns that Trump’s return to power will strain transatlantic ties more than ever, as the US president heaps pressure on allies to give up territory.
Trump has started his second term musing about potentially taking over Greenland, the Panama Canal, and even Canada.
Many European officials had hoped his comments about seeking control of Greenland for “national security” reasons were a negotiating ploy to gain more influence over the Nato territory. Russia and China are both also jostling for position in the Arctic. But the call with Frederiksen has crushed such hopes, deepening the foreign policy crisis between the Nato allies. “The intent was very clear. They want it. The Danes are now in crisis mode,” said one person briefed on the call. Another said: “The Danes are utterly freaked out by this.” A former Danish official added: “It was a very tough conversation. He threatened specific measures against Denmark such as targeted tariffs.”
Trump threatened in early January to impose duties on Denmark if it opposed him on Greenland. He also declined to rule out using military force to take control of the island. “People really don’t even know if Denmark has any legal right to it but, if they do, they should give it up because we need it for national security,” Trump said at a press conference days before taking office. “I’m talking about protecting the free world,” he added. “You have China ships all over the place. You have Russian ships all over the place. We’re not letting that happen.” Map of Greenland showing mineral and oil deposits
https://www.ft.com/content/ace02a6f-3307-43f8-aac3-16b6646b60f6?accessToken=zwAGLHk505cokdOs4CpvMwdD-NOqwxa2ZGtg9g.MEYCIQDw7YFU6H012tBnWG7ypVBleWI3x9GVUMySZwCXOUZK8AIhAKYoG4A-s5Az4UyUekLIbwZlDNOYRFCRqTtmp-15zkJJ&sharetype=gift&token=c41ff6fe-4f5e-47af-9b6e-daa6699f6d33