Journalism of Courage
Denmark’s foreign minister has summoned the top United States (US) diplomat in Copenhagen after intelligence reports suggested American citizens conducted covert influence campaigns in Greenland.
According to a report by Reuters, citing Danish public broadcaster DR, at least three US nationals with ties to President Donald Trump’s administration were involved in efforts to promote Greenland’s secession from Denmark to the US.
Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said: “We are aware that foreign actors continue to show an interest in Greenland and its position in the Kingdom of Denmark. It is therefore not surprising if we experience outside attempts to influence the future of the Kingdom in the time ahead.”
Neither the ministry nor the broadcaster named the individuals in the reports, while the US embassy in Copenhagen has yet to comment, Reuters reported.
Trump previously said he wanted the US to acquire Greenland for strategic and security reasons, even suggesting force as an option, remarks firmly rejected in both Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, and Nuuk, the capital of Greenland.
Denmark, has moved to strengthen ties with Greenland and its European allies. In June, French President Emmanuel Macron visited the Arctic territory, while protests earlier this year disrupted US Vice President JD Vance’s trip.
Denmark’s national security and intelligence service, PET, said in a statement that it regards Greenland as “a target for influence campaigns of various kinds, especially in the current situation.”
“These could be carried out by exploiting existing or fabricated disagreements — for example, around specific issues — or by promoting or amplifying certain views in Greenland about the Kingdom of Denmark, the United States, or other countries with a special interest in the territory,” it added.
Trump has nominated PayPal co-founder Ken Howery as the next US ambassador to Denmark, but for now the mission in Copenhagen is headed by Chargé d’Affaires Mark Stroh, according to its website.
