Denmark Summons U.S. Diplomat Over Greenland Influence Operations
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Recently, Denmark’s Foreign Minister took the step of summoning the top American diplomat in the country for discussions. This move followed a report from Denmark’s main public broadcaster, which indicated that several individuals tied to former President Donald Trump may be participating in covert influence activities in Greenland.
The former president has made it clear in the past that he has an interest in U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland, a large semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. While he has not explicitly mentioned using military force, his interest in Greenland’s mineral resources and strategic location has raised eyebrows.
Both Denmark and Greenland have firmly stated that the island is not for sale, expressing disapproval of any U.S. intelligence-gathering activities in the area. According to the report, at least three Americans connected to Trump are believed to be conducting influence operations in Greenland. This includes compiling lists of Greenlanders who support the U.S. and identifying those opposed to Trump, as well as seeking to promote narratives that paint Denmark negatively in the American media.
An influence operation typically involves organized efforts aimed at altering public perception to achieve political or military goals. Sources that shared this information with Denmark’s broadcaster suggest that the ultimate aim might be to undermine the relationship between Denmark and Greenland.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen acknowledged the ongoing interest from foreign actors in Greenland, stating that attempts to sway public opinion in the territory are not surprising given its significance. He emphasized that any interference in the internal affairs of Denmark would be unacceptable and reiterated the importance of maintaining strong ties between Denmark and Greenland.
The U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen has chosen to forward inquiries about this issue to Washington. Meanwhile, Denmark’s Security and Intelligence Service has noted that Greenland is increasingly becoming a focal point for various influence campaigns, which could lead to divisions within the Danish Kingdom.
The service, commonly referred to as PET, asserts that it has been ramping up its operations in Greenland and will continue to collaborate with local authorities to counter any such attempts.
