A "fiery" phone call between Trump and Mette Frederiksen has reignited the debate over Greenland's future
A 45 minute call between Trump and Frederiksen last week spiraled into confrontation, senior European officials told the Financial Times. Trump, at that time the president-elect, was reportedly aggressive and threatened tariffs against the NATO ally.
National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes did not comment on the tone of the call but said Trump is focused on Greenland as part of the larger competition between China and Russia.
"President Trump has been clear that the safety and security of Greenland is important to the United States as China and Russia make significant investments throughout the Arctic region," Hughes said in a statement.
"The President is committed to not only protecting U.S. interests in the Arctic but also working with Greenland to ensure mutual prosperity for both nations," he added.
Trump has focused intently on plans to take over Greenland, an autonomous Arctic island that is part of the kingdom of Denmark. During his inauguration speech, he referred to the U.S. as a growing nation expanding its territory. Trump has also called for the U.S. to retake the Panama Canal and mused about annexing Canada.
Trump and Frederiksen spoke by phone on Jan. 15. The Danish prime minister said at the time she referred to remarks by the chair of Greenland's Parliament that the island is not for sale and that it is up to Greenland to make its decision about its independence.
She also offered for Denmark to shoulder a greater responsibility for security in the Arctic, emphasized that Danish companies contribute to growth and jobs in the United States, and that the EU and the U.S. have a common interest in strengthened trade, according to a readout from her office.
The Trump transition team did not release details of that phone call, but Trump said at a press conference on Jan. 7 that he would not rule out economic or military force to take control of the Arctic island.
Speaking from the Oval Office hours after he was sworn in as president, Trump doubled-down on his intent to subsume Greenland and said, "I'm sure that Denmark will come along."
But Frederiksen is viewed as a no-nonsense, security-focused professional who was critical of the Biden administration's slow drip of weapons for Ukraine, said one American foreign policy expert who met with the Danish prime minister.
"She's like the John Bolton of Europe; she's hard-charging," the expert said, referring to Trump's onetime national security adviser whom the president has extreme animosity toward, criticizing him as stupid and a war monger. Trump recently pulled Bolton's security detail that was in place over threats of assassination from Iran.
Frederiksen taking a tough line against Trump could have provoked the conversation to spiral, the expert speculated.
"She doesn't seem like the type that would give any ground. Not that she's unreasonable, but not the kind that would take any s‑‑‑."
Reader Comments
Well, everyone knows that China and Russia are building a northern silk road. The Russians have been launching icebreakers for years, and China has been talking about it for a long time. It just so happens that there are two routes, both around Greenland.
And that's the whole secret.
For those who don't know what the northern route looks like, here's a link:
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The danger for Russia and China may result from the fact that in such a situation the US becomes unpredictable.
Just yesterday I pasted an interview with Trump, where in response to the editor's statement that Russia has hypersonic missiles and the US does not... Trump responds that the Russians stole the US hypersonic missile plans during Obama's presidency.
He can't even lie anymore!
Like in a football match. They can't score a goal, so they foul everyone from the opposing team:-)
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I just had a heated call with Tramp, for the sake of World Peace,, I want to take control of the U,S, am also calling Putkin, PingPong and other pests with the same demand.
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"In 1924 the US government began developing plans for a possible military invasion of Canada. These plans were approved by the US War Department in 1930 and were secretly maintained by US President, Franklin Roosevelt, in 1935. The plans involved possible bombing of major Canadian cities, the possible deployment of chemical weapons and the building of three military installations along the Canadian border. These bases were disguised as civilian airports."
Then as you state the USA plan to invade Canada did not actually end until 1939 . Wow !
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I think the plan was not put into action because of "other" circumstances requiring their attention.
And now, I suppose no military action would be necessary. After many years of WEF / Soros / Turdeau rule, Canada is ripe.
Students of U.S. history will recall that the Canadian, U.S. border we know today would have been further north if the 19th Century American ambitions had been achieved.
Nothing in the dreams of American, Manifest Destiny has changed.
Enjoy....
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I have studied Canadian history from a Metis perspective because part of me can be traced back to the first "Goulet" to settle in New France (as it was known in the 1600's).
Here's the reality:
1. Invade and steal
2. Offer to purchase whats not for sale, with money you don't have.
I hope the Danish PM told him to FO.