Denmark confronts US over reported influence operations in Greenland

Danish officials summoned the senior U.S. envoy in Copenhagen after reports that Trump-linked Americans were carrying out covert influence campaigns in Greenland. The allegations heightened scrutiny of Washington’s ambitions in the Arctic and strained relations between the allies.

What do reports say Americans are doing in Greenland?

According to broadcaster DR, at least three Americans connected to Trump have spent time in Greenland building networks. One individual reportedly drafted lists dividing Greenlanders by those who favor or oppose Trump, aiming to cultivate allies for a secession campaign. Others were described as pursuing links with political, business and community figures.

Sources told DR the actions resembled influence operations, though it is unknown if they were coordinated by U.S. authorities or not. Denmark’s intelligence agency, PET, noted that Greenland is regularly targeted by attempts to exploit tensions with Copenhagen.

How has Denmark responded?

Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said he had summoned the U.S. chargé d’affaires, the most senior American diplomat in Denmark, to convey that such interference is “unacceptable.” Rasmussen emphasized that Copenhagen “will of course not accept covert operations on our territory.”

Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said he intends to raise the matter again with visiting U.S. senators, noting he previously brought it up with officials during a June trip to Washington. Straight Arrow News could not independently verify which senators will be in Denmark.

“Here I will raise the issue and say that Denmark is a very, very close ally of the United States, and that I of course expect that the Kingdom of Denmark will be respected,” Poulsen said.

What has the US said?

The U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen told DR that “individual U.S. citizens may have interests in Greenland” but added that “the U.S. government does not control or direct the actions of private citizens.” The embassy also stressed that the United States “values ​​the relationships with the governments of Greenland and Denmark.”

So far, the White House has not commented directly on whether it had any role in the reported activities.

Why is Greenland so significant?

Greenland governs itself under Danish sovereignty and has drawn U.S. interest for its resources and location between North America, Europe and Russia. The island also hosts America’s northernmost military base.

Trump has publicly argued the U.S. should take control of Greenland, telling NBC News earlier this year that Washington was fully committed to pursuing the island, and at one point suggesting military force could be an option.

“We’ll get Greenland. Yeah, 100%,” Trump said.

Denmark is a founding member of NATO, and any military invasion of Greenland might prompt a joint declaration of war by other NATO allies against the invader.

Officials in both Greenland and Denmark have also consistently rejected the notion that Greenland might be for sale or that it could be acquired by American annexation, which is illegal under international law.

According to DR reporting, Jakob Kaarsbo, a former Danish Armed Forces Intelligence Service analyst, warned that the reported activities could turn Greenlanders against Denmark and stir unrest. Mikkel Runge Olesen of the Danish Institute for International Studies described the activities as “very worrying” and part of a broader attempt to influence Greenland in the United States’ favor.

Editor’s note: The source text was originally in Danish and has been translated into English. While care has been taken to remain faithful to the original meaning and tone, some nuances may differ due to the nature of translation.