"Trump Does Not Rule Out Use of Force for Greenland Annexation" Serious Call with Danish Prime Minister

by Koo Nari

Published 25 Jan.2025 17:59(KST)

Updated 25 Jan.2025 18:54(KST)

"An Aggressive Attitude... Denmark Was Terrified"

US President Donald Trump and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reportedly had a heated phone call regarding the purchase of Greenland.

U.S. President Donald Trump (left) and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

On the 24th (local time), major foreign media outlets reported, citing multiple sources, that the phone call between President Trump and Prime Minister Frederiksen last week was very intense. The two leaders spoke for 45 minutes on the 15th about the purchase of Greenland. Denmark showed a conciliatory gesture by stating it would contribute to Arctic security immediately after the call, and both sides agreed to continue the dialogue.

However, five current and former officials familiar with the call told foreign media that "the conversation took a very negative turn." When Prime Minister Frederiksen said that "Greenland is not for sale," President Trump reportedly showed a very aggressive and confrontational attitude. One official described the atmosphere of the call as "terrible." Another said, "He (President Trump) was very firm. It was eye-opening," adding, "Previously, it was not taken seriously, but now it is considered serious and potentially dangerous." There were also reactions such as, "The intent was clear. The US wants Greenland, and Denmark is in trouble," and "The Danish people were completely terrified by this incident."

A former Danish official also said that President Trump "threatened with specific measures such as targeted tariffs." Foreign media speculated that this call would place a greater burden on transatlantic relations than ever before with Trump's return, deepening Europe's concerns.

Initially, when President Trump claimed that "Greenland is necessary for national security," Europe hoped it was a strategy for the US to exert more influence within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). There was also analysis that it was a bluff to check Russia and China in the Arctic dominance competition.

However, after the atmosphere of the call between the two leaders was revealed, there are concerns that President Trump's threat that "military means will not be ruled out for the incorporation of Greenland" might be very serious.

The Danish Prime Minister's Office drew a line regarding the foreign media reports, stating, "We cannot confirm interpretations based on anonymous sources." However, Prime Minister Frederiksen urgently convened CEOs of domestic companies the day after the call to discuss countermeasures against President Trump's tariff threats. Also, on the day of the call, Frederiksen appeared on local TV2 and said, "It is clear that (President Trump) has a great interest in Greenland and its surroundings," adding, "Based on today's conversation, there was no reason to believe the tone was lower than what was publicly discussed."

Meanwhile, Greenland, located in the Arctic Ocean, has been under Danish rule for 300 years, was officially incorporated into Denmark in 1953, and has exercised autonomy over all policy decisions except foreign affairs and defense since 2009.