Trump’s Vow to Get Greenland Prompts Protests and Alarm in Denmark

Demonstrators gathered in Copenhagen and other cities in Denmark and Greenland to protest President Trump’s vow to get Greenland, the semiautonomous Danish territory, an action Danes say has left them feeling betrayed, bewildered and frightened. Greenland, 50 times the size of Denmark, has long given the country greater international standing.

Many Danes described the president’s comments as a personal and national affront: Henrik Bager, a Danish soldier who served with Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan, called Mr. Trump’s vow and his insults about Denmark’s military "a punch to the gut," and critics noted Mr. Trump’s taunts that Denmark relies on "two dog sleds" to defend the island.

Mr. Trump has said the United States needs to take over Greenland because Russia and China pose a security threat in the Arctic and because the island is essential for the "Golden Dome" missile shield he wants to build, according to the reporting. Denmark, NATO allies and most security experts say the United States already has the access it needs under existing treaties and through Denmark’s willingness to cooperate, short of giving up Greenland.

There was some short-lived relief after a meeting in Washington, where Denmark’s foreign minister emerged saying a "working group" would continue talks, but the White House press secretary said Danes and Greenlanders had agreed "to continue to have technical talks on the acquisition of Greenland," which Denmark and Greenland said was not the case.

Key Topics

World, Greenland, Donald Trump, Denmark, Copenhagen, Nato