![\"bitcoins](\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/nationalpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Greenland-1.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=288&h=216&sig=lBP1YlpV9DzStjnleTGioA\")
<\/picture>Article content<\/p>\n
The Danish people are feeling shocked, and not a little betrayed, by President Donald Trump\u2019s threats to annex Greenland, a constituent part of the Kingdom of Denmark, says one of the country\u2019s most senior diplomats.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS<\/p>\n Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n <\/span>or<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cDenmark has done everything the U.S. has asked of us. They called and we delivered: in Iraq, Libya and especially in Afghanistan, where we had the highest casualty rate per capita,\u201d the Danish diplomat said. \u201cThe mood is of huge concern.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Article content<\/p>\n The diplomat, who was granted anonymity in order to speak more freely, said the Danes don\u2019t expect a U.S. military invasion but assume Trump will simply declare Greenland a protectorate, raise the Stars and Stripes in the region\u2019s capital, Nuuk, and \u201ckick the Danes out,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Article content<\/p>\n By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cIt would be extremely easy for him to do it if he wants to.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Article content<\/p>\n Trump and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen have some history. In his first term, in 2019, the president cancelled a visit to Denmark after she had called his interest in buying Greenland \u201cabsurd\u201d and he called her a \u201cnasty woman\u201d in response.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Article content<\/p>\n She is not the only one shocked at the resurrection of the idea in 2025, the diplomat said, especially since the Trump administration is well aware that it has an open-ended agreement to increase its military or mining presence in Greenland, as long as it consults Copenhagen.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Article content<\/p>\n At one point during the Cold War, the Americans had up to 10,000 personnel in Greenland but that has since dwindled to fewer than 200 at the Pituffik Space Base.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Article content<\/p>\n The diplomat said that on a number of occasions in recent years, delegations of Americans have arrived in Denmark to discuss expanding their presence; plans with which the Danes were in full agreement. Ultimately, he said, the resources earmarked for Greenland were allocated elsewhere.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Article content<\/p>\n Trump told reporters on Sunday that he\u2019d worry about Greenland \u201cin 20 days\u201d and reiterated his belief that the U.S. needs to own it for national security reasons because \u201cit is covered with Russian and Chinese ships.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cYou know what Denmark did recently to boost up security in Greenland? They added one more dogsled. That\u2019s true,\u201d Trump said.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Article content<\/p>\n No, it\u2019s not, the diplomat said. Denmark has actually set aside US$13 billion to upgrade its Arctic capabilities, adding five Arctic vessels, maritime patrol aircraft, long-range drones, satellite capability, air surveillance radar and 16 extra F-35 fighters announced in October (taking the total to 43).<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Article content<\/p>\n The Danish diplomat said there are no Chinese investments in Greenland and the Danes have blocked some Chinese development plans. Chinese ships are few and far between, he added.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Article content<\/p>\n Trump\u2019s deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, questioned the legality of Denmark\u2019s ownership of Greenland on CNN on Monday. \u201cWhat is the basis of Greenland being a colony of Denmark?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Article content<\/p>\n The diplomat pointed to the long history of U.S. recognition of Denmark\u2019s sovereignty, including the 1916\u00a0Treaty of the Danish West Indies<\/a>, which saw America buy three Danish islands in the Caribbean (and unsuccessfully try to buy Greenland).<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n![\"bitcoins](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.4.0\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-np-new.svg\" "\\"bitcoins\\""){kind=logo}
<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
Bitcoins Sign In or Create an Account<\/h2>\n