Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has called a meeting with leaders of Denmark's political parties to address President-elect Donald Trump's recent statements about wanting to take control of Greenland.
The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. local time today (1:30 a.m. on January 10 Hanoi time), according to a statement from the prime minister's office.
This comes in response to Trump's remarks suggesting that the U.S. should consider purchasing Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, citing "national security" concerns. During a January 7 press conference, Trump also left open the possibility of using military force to secure control over the island.
"This meeting will allow us to inform political leaders about the measures the government has taken over the past few days," Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen emphasized that Denmark is not yet facing a "foreign policy crisis" but warned of such a scenario if "words turn into action." He also stated that Denmark seeks to avoid escalating tensions with "a president who is on his way to the Oval Office."
"My approach is to take Trump’s words seriously but not necessarily literally. We are reviewing this situation carefully," Rasmussen added.
Greenland’s Strategic Importance
Greenland, the world’s largest island, is situated near North America between the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. It has a population of 57,000 and spans approximately 2.16 million square kilometers, making it larger than Mexico and over three times the size of Texas.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, today urged Trump to "respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Greenland," emphasizing that it remains an integral part of Denmark.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni dismissed speculation that the U.S. could use force to control Greenland or the Panama Canal, while French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on January 8 warned Trump against issuing threats toward "EU sovereign borders."
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia is closely monitoring developments related to Trump’s statements about Greenland, expressing relief that the matter has not gone beyond rhetoric. Peskov suggested that any decision should involve consultations with Greenland’s population.
Greenland holds strategic significance for U.S. military operations and missile defense systems, as the shortest route between Europe and North America passes over the island. Observers believe Trump’s interest in Greenland stems not only from national security concerns but also from its rich natural resources, including oil, rare earth metals, and uranium, as well as its strategic location for maritime routes.
Past Proposals and Danish Reactions
During his first term, Trump floated the idea of purchasing Greenland, but the proposal was dismissed by both Denmark and Greenland’s leadership. Greenland has reiterated its stance that the island is "not for sale."
Frederiksen has described the U.S. as Denmark's "most important and closest ally," expressing confidence that Washington will not resort to military or economic pressure to assert control over the island.
(Sources: AFP, Reuters)
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