Denmark summons U.S. diplomat over claims of covert operations in Greenland
- Danish authorities are investigating alleged covert American influence operations linked to Trump administration officials in Greenland.
- Concerns about foreign interference in Greenland's internal affairs have prompted Denmark to summon the U.S. chargés d'affaires for clarification.
- The ongoing situation tests the resilience of Denmark and Greenland's relationship, emphasizing their commitment to mutual trust.
On a recent Wednesday, Denmark's foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen summoned the top U.S. diplomat, Mark Stroh, following reports of suspected covert influence operations in Greenland. The operations, allegedly conducted by at least three individuals connected to the Trump administration, have raised significant concerns in Denmark about foreign interests in Greenland's political climate. Sources have indicated that these individuals might have compiled lists of Greenlanders that align with or oppose U.S. interests to potentially create discord and undermine Danish-Greenland relations. Reports from Danish public broadcaster DR highlighted the strategic implications of Greenland in the current geopolitical climate, noting its valuable resource potential. Denmark and Greenland have had a long-standing partnership, based on mutual trust, and any foreign attempts perceived as meddling would breach this understanding. The involvement of American nationals in influence operations has alarmed Danish officials, prompting them to reaffirm their commitment to safeguarding internal affairs against external interference. The allegations stemmed from intelligence gathered by the Danish Security and Intelligence Service, which has been actively monitoring various types of influence campaigns targeting Greenland. Their concerns extend to the notion that these operations could exploit existing grievances or misinformation to destabilize the relationship between Denmark and its semi-autonomous territory. The diplomatic meeting aimed to address and clarify these issues amidst the rising tension due to the historical context of U.S. interests in Greenland. Mark Stroh's response to the allegations was recorded as productive, with a reaffirmation of the strong ties between Denmark, Greenland, and the U.S. However, skepticism remains among Danish officials regarding U.S. intentions, especially given previous statements from President Trump concerning Greenland's strategic importance. The situation illustrates the complexities of international relations, especially within the realm of U.S. foreign policy under the previous administration and its involvement in the delicate dynamics of Danish-Greenland affairs.