US and Denmark tensions soar as White House tells NATO ally to 'calm down'

The US says Denmark should “calm down” after Washington’s top diplomat in Copenhagen was summoned over claims of American interference in Greenland. Danish public broadcaster DR on Wednesday reported at least three American nationals with connections to President Donald Trump have been carrying out covert influence operations in Greenland.

A White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, downplayed the concerns of its NATO ally, saying “the Danes need to calm down”. Both the White House and US Embassy in Copenhagen would not comment on the substance of the report by DR which cited unnamed Danish government and security sources, plus unidentified sources in Greenland and the US. The US State Department confirmed the deputy chief of mission in Copenhagen, Mark Stroh, had met Danish foreign ministry officials.

It declined to comment “on the actions of private US citizens in Greenland” and said the American government “does not control or direct the actions of private citizens”, the BBC reports.

The department said the meeting was “productive” and “reaffirmed the strong ties” between Greenland, Denmark and the US.

The statement added the US has always respected “the right of the people of Greenland to determine their own future”.

The Trump administration has regularly expressed its wish to take control of Greenland, citing it is needed for national security purposes.

Earlier this year, Mr Trump did not rule out using military force to acquire it.

Greenland is rich in natural resources and offers a number of strategic advantages, especially as shipping through the Arctic region becomes easier due to warming temperatures.

It is the world’s biggest island and is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.

Both Denmark and Greenland have said it is not for sale and condemned reports of alleged US intelligence gathering.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke 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.

“Any attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the Kingdom will of course be unacceptable.”

He added cooperation between the governments of Denmark and Greenland “is close and based on mutual trust”.

DR said its story was based on information from a total of eight sources, who believe the goal is to weaken relations with Denmark from within Greenlandic society.

The broadcaster said it had been unable to clarify whether the Americans were working at their own initiative or on orders from someone else.

The report has not been independently confirmed.

Denmark’s PET security and intelligence service said it believes that “particularly in the current situation, Greenland is a target for influence campaigns of various kinds” that could aim to create divisions in the relationship between Denmark and Greenland.