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Donald Trump told the Danish PM Mette Frederiksen that he was serious in his determination to take over Greenland.
Donald Trump and Mette Frederiksen had a fiery phone call where the US President lost his cool when the Danish PM said Greenland was not for sale. (IMAGE: REUTERS)
Donald Trump reportedly told Denmark’s prime minister in a heated call that he was serious about taking over Greenland, the Financial Times said, citing European officials.
Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, on Jan. 15 said she had spoken on the phone with Trump and told him that it is up to Greenland itself to decide on any independence.
Frederiksen said she made it clear that Greenland, an autonomous part of Denmark, was not for sale, while acknowledging America’s strong interest in it.
Officials told Financial Times that “conversation had gone very badly” because the US President was “aggressive and confrontational” after Frederiksen told him that the “island was not for sale” even though she offered to work with the US on military bases and mineral exploitation.
“It was horrendous, he was very firm. It was a cold shower. Before, it was hard to take it seriously. But I do think it is serious, and potentially very dangerous,” one official told the Financial Times.
“Arctic security was not on the agenda, but it was agreed that it will be discussed between the United States, Denmark and Greenland at a later date, the Danish ministry said on Friday.
Greenland’s prime minister, Mute Egede, who has stepped up a push for independence, has repeatedly said the island is not for sale and that it is up to its people to decide their future.
While Trump had aired the possibility of taking over Greenland in 2019, during his first term in the White House, his refusal to rule out the use of military or economic power has caught many Danes by surprise.
- Location :
Brussels, Belgium
