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Donald Trump insisted that, according to the high -ranking European officials, he decided to take over Greenland in a fiery phone call with Denmark’s prime minister.
Last week, the US President spoke to Mette Frederiksen for 45 minutes with Mette Frederiksen, the Danish Prime Minister. The White House did not comment on the call, but Frederiksen said that she emphasized that the huge Arctic island – an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark – was not for sale while America’s “great interest” was found.
Five current and former high -ranking European officials who were informed about the call said that the conversation was very bad.
They added that Trump was aggressive and confrontational after the comments of the Danish Prime Minister that, despite its offer of greater cooperation on military bases and mineral exploitation, the island was not for sale.
“It was terrible,” said one of the people. Another added: “He was very firm. It was a cold shower. Before that, it was difficult to take it seriously. But I think it’s serious and potentially very dangerous. “
The details of the call are likely to deepen the European concerns that Trump’s return to the power will burden transatlantic bonds more than ever, since the US President strives for pressure on allies to give up the area.
Trump has started his second term of thinking about the potential takeover of Greenland, the Panama Canal and even in Canada.
Many European officials had hoped that his comments on control over Greenland from “national security” were a negotiating current to achieve more influence on the NATO territory. Russia and China are also crowded for position in the Arctic.
But the call with Frederiksen destroyed such hopes and deepened the foreign policy crisis between NATO allies.
“The intention was very clear. You want it. The Danes are now in crisis mode, ”said one person on the call. Another said: “The Danes are completely freaked out.”
A former Danish official added: “It was a very difficult conversation. He threatened specific measures against Denmark like targeted tariffs. “
The Danish Prime Minister’s office said “the interpretation of the discussion conducted by anonymous sources did not recognize”.
Greenland, in which only 57,000 people live, is an entry point for new shipping routes that gradually open through the Arctic. It also has plenty of available, but it is difficult to access to minerals.
“President Trump was clear that Greenland’s security is important for the United States because China and Russia make significant investments in the entire Arctic region,” said a spokesman for the Weißen House National Security Council.
“The president undertakes not only to protect the US interests on the Arctic, but also to work with Greenland to ensure mutual prosperity for both nations.”
Trump threatened to impose duties at the beginning of January when he opposed Greenland. He also refused to rule out military violence to take control of the island.
“People really don’t even know whether Denmark has a legal right, but if this is the case, they should give it up because we need it for national security,” said Trump at a press conference before taking office.
“I’m talking about protecting the free world,” he added. “You have China ships everywhere. They have Russian ships everywhere. We don’t let it happen. “
Múte Eggede, Greenland Prime Minister, has repeatedly emphasized that the inhabitants of the island want independence rather than us – or Danish – citizenship. But he greeted the US business interest in mining and tourism.
Frederiksen organized a meeting with the managing directors of large Danish companies such as Novo Nordisk and Carlsberg last week to discuss Trump’s threats, including potential tariffs against their country.
On the day of Trump call, she said Denmark TV2: “There is no doubt that there is great interest in and around Greenland. Based on the conversation that I had today, there is no reason to assume that it should be less than what we heard in the public debate. “
