Tensions rise between Denmark and the US following alarming reports about US espionage efforts in Greenland amid geopolitical interests.
**Denmark Calls US Ambassador Amid Greenland Espionage Controversy**
**Denmark Calls US Ambassador Amid Greenland Espionage Controversy**
Denmark's foreign minister raises concerns over US spying activities related to Greenland's independence and resource extraction.
Denmark's foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, has announced plans to summon the US ambassador to address a concerning report indicating that US intelligence agencies are focusing on Greenland. This news, primarily derived from The Wall Street Journal, follows previous remarks from former President Donald Trump regarding the potential acquisition of the semi-autonomous island.
Rasmussen expressed deepest concerns, stating, "It worries me greatly because we do not spy on friends." The report allegedly highlights US interests in monitoring Greenland's independence movement and the extraction of its mineral resources. US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard countered the report by suggesting that it was an attempt to undermine President Trump’s administration through politically motivated leaks of classified information.
During a ministers' meeting in Warsaw, Rasmussen mentioned the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) had taken note of increased US interest in Greenland, which has raised the potential for espionage threats. He stated that despite not receiving a strong denial from US officials regarding the report, he found the situation distressing.
The backdrop of this controversy is Trump's previous declarations of interest in Greenland. In a recent NBC News interview, the former president did not rule out using military measures to attain the island, underscoring its significance for international security and resource acquisition. Greenland's political landscape is also notably against US claims, with calls for independence from Denmark's sovereignty.
Concerns over US military engagements have been echoed by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who condemned a recent visit by Vice-President JD Vance to a US military base in Greenland, labeling it a form of unacceptable pressure on local politicians and citizens.
After leaving office, former President Joe Biden vehemently criticized Trump's remarks regarding territorial claims in his own BBC interview, stating, "What the hell's going on here? What president ever talks like that?" and reiterated America's foundational values of freedom and democracy, contrasting them with claims of confiscation.
Historically, Greenland has been under Danish control for about 300 years, but it operates with its own governmental authority over domestic matters while foreign and defense policies are determined in Copenhagen. Despite US interests – especially regarding military presence and potential mineral resources – polls indicate that most Greenlanders favor independence from Denmark rather than joining the US federation.
