Greenland tensions: Denmark urges diplomacy over force
The Danish Foreign Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, called for calm in light of Donald Trump's remarks about Greenland. I don't think that we're in a foreign policy crisis," he said.
On Tuesday, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump did not rule out using force to take control of Greenland. His words resonated worldwide, including in Denmark, as Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
Lars Lokke Rasmussen emphasized that Denmark is responsible for ensuring security in Greenland. "We are open to a dialogue with the Americans on how we can possibly cooperate even more closely than we do to ensure that the American ambitions are fulfilled," he declared.
He mentioned that Trump had shown interest in Arctic issues even before assuming office, adding that this focus was somewhat understandable, as it aligns with Denmark's approach to NATO.
The Panama Canal and Greenland: Trump does not rule out the use of force
Denmark is already cooperating with the U.S. in Greenland, where the American military base Pituffik, formerly known as Thule, is located. This area is strategically important because it can be used to track missiles launched towards the U.S., for example, by Russia. Rasmussen expressed his willingness to work with the new U.S. administration and to discuss security policy challenges.
The Danish opposition, including the far-right Danish People's Party, criticized Rasmussen for not having a decisive response to Trump's statements. Nevertheless, the Danish minister emphasizes that there is no foreign policy crisis and that he is ready for dialogue with the Americans.
Trump did not rule out military intervention not only regarding Greenland but also in the Panama Canal. "We need them for economic security," he said on Tuesday at 1:00 PM Eastern Time.
The president-elect indicated they would not promise to renounce military actions, suggesting that circumstances might arise requiring such measures.
