Denmark PM Mette Frederiksen (left) , US President Donald Trump (rigth)
Denmark has summoned the US chargé d’affaires Mark Stroh following allegations that American citizens with ties to Donald Trump attempted to carry out an influence campaign in Greenland. The move came after an investigation by Danish broadcaster DR, which reported that at least three Americans linked to Trump and his circle had sought to infiltrate Greenlandic society. According to DR, the men attempted to sway local opinion in favour of Trump’s long-standing ambition of annexing the island, Danish foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen denounced the reports as “totally unacceptable,” stressing that Copenhagen would make it “very clear” to Washington that any state-backed campaign of this kind would violate international norms. “It is important that both Greenlanders and Danes understand what we are up against,” he said. Prime minister Mette Frederiksen also voiced concern, describing the allegations as “very serious.” She warned that “any interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Denmark, and in Greenlandic democracy, is unacceptable,” while noting that US officials had not clearly denied the substance of DR’s findings. Trump’s interest in Greenland has long been a source of tension between Washington and Copenhagen. In 2019, he suggested the US should buy the territory — a proposal flatly rejected by both Denmark and Greenland. The island enjoys self-rule, though foreign and security policy remain under Danish control. The US State Department confirmed on Wednesday that chargé d’affaires Mark Stroh met Danish officials at their request. A spokesperson said the discussion was “productive” and reaffirmed “the strong ties among the governments of Greenland, the United States, and Denmark.” However, the spokesperson maintained that Washington could not comment on the actions of “private US citizens,” adding that the American government “does not control or direct” them. “The United States respects the right of the people of Greenland to determine their own future,” the statement added.According to Danish broadcaster DR, three unnamed American men were suspected of attempting to infiltrate Greenlandic society in a bid to weaken its ties with Denmark through what officials described as “infiltration” and “influence operations.” One of the men, who had been publicly seen with Donald Trump on several occasions, was alleged to have compiled a list of the US president’s supporters in Greenland, as well as those opposed to him. He was also accused of advising on issues that cast Denmark in a negative light in the US media. Rasmussen reiterated Denmark’s position that “any attempt to interfere” in its internal affairs would not be tolerated. He emphasised that Copenhagen’s cooperation with Nuuk was built on “close dialogue and mutual trust,” and that the two governments remained united on the issue.
