Denmark Condemns U.S. Intelligence Gathering on Greenland Amid Acquisition Interest

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has delivered a strong rebuke to the United States, asserting that spying on allies is unacceptable. Her statement follows reports indicating that the U.S. intelligence community, under the direction of officials reporting to the Director of National Intelligence, was actively gathering information on Greenland. This revelation coincides with persistent suggestions from former U.S. President Donald Trump about the potential purchase of the Arctic island, an autonomous territory of Denmark.

Frederiksen emphasized the growing importance of cooperation in defense, deterrence, and security within the northern European region. She stressed that trust and mutual respect are fundamental to such partnerships, stating unequivocally, "Of course, you cannot spy against an ally."

The controversy arises as both Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected any possibility of Greenland being sold to the United States. Trump, however, has not entirely dismissed the idea of acquiring the island, even hinting at the possibility of military intervention despite Denmark’s status as a NATO ally.

During an interview on NBC News’ "Meet the Press," Trump stated, "I don’t rule it out. I don’t say I’m going to do it, but I don’t rule out anything." He further elaborated on his perceived strategic rationale, claiming, "We need Greenland very badly. Greenland is a very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of and we’ll cherish them and all of that, but we need that for international security."

The Danish government responded to the reports of U.S. intelligence gathering by summoning the top American diplomat in the country, Jennifer Hall Godfrey, the Acting Head of the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen, to the Danish Foreign Ministry. She met with Danish diplomat Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen. The specific details of their discussion remain undisclosed, adding to the air of diplomatic tension surrounding the issue.

Adding to the chorus of disapproval, Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen expressed his outrage, characterizing the alleged U.S. espionage as "unacceptable and disrespectful" in an interview with the Greenland newspaper Sermitsiaq. Nielsen had previously asserted that Greenland "will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by just anyone" and criticized the United States’ approach as lacking respect.

The reports triggering this diplomatic rift originated in The Wall Street Journal, which cited sources familiar with the matter indicating that high-ranking officials under the U.S. Director of National Intelligence had directed intelligence agencies to collect information on Greenland’s independence movement and the island’s views on U.S. resource extraction.

In response to the leak of this information, then Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s office issued a statement claiming to have made three "criminal" referrals to the U.S. Justice Department regarding intelligence community leaks. Gabbard condemned The Wall Street Journal for allegedly "aiding deep state actors who seek to undermine the President by politicizing and leaking classified information." She further asserted that such leaks "are breaking the law and undermining our nation’s security and democracy" and vowed that "those who leak classified information will be found and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law."

The episode highlights the complex interplay of national security interests, international relations, and resource politics in the Arctic region. Greenland, strategically located between North America and Europe, holds significant geopolitical importance and is believed to possess substantial reserves of natural resources.

The U.S. has a long history of interest in Greenland, dating back to the post-World War II era. In 1946, the U.S. offered Denmark $100 million for the island, an offer that was ultimately rejected. More recently, the U.S. has maintained a military presence at Thule Air Base in northern Greenland, a critical component of its ballistic missile early warning system.

Trump’s expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, while initially dismissed by many as a mere rhetorical flourish, has nonetheless raised serious questions about U.S. intentions in the Arctic. His suggestion of military force, even in a hypothetical context, has been particularly unsettling to both Denmark and Greenland.

The current controversy underscores the importance of clear communication and mutual respect in maintaining strong alliances. The allegations of U.S. intelligence gathering on Greenland have the potential to erode trust between the two countries and complicate cooperation on critical issues such as Arctic security and resource management. The incident also serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges of balancing national security interests with the principles of international law and diplomatic norms. The situation remains fluid, and the long-term implications for U.S.-Danish relations and the future of the Arctic region remain to be seen.