Denmark has summoned the United States’ top diplomat in the country following reports that individuals with ties to former US President Donald Trump were engaged in covert influence operations aimed at undermining Copenhagen’s relationship with Greenland.
The move came after Danish public broadcaster DR reported that at least three Trump-linked figures were allegedly attempting to sway opinion within Greenlandic society, with the broader objective of weakening Greenland’s ties to Denmark. Citing a combination of government, security, and unnamed international sources, DR said it could not confirm whether the individuals were acting independently or on orders from elsewhere.
Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has long been a focal point of geopolitical interest. Its strategic location in the North Atlantic and vast natural resources have drawn attention from Washington. During his presidency, Trump made headlines by expressing interest in purchasing Greenland, a proposal swiftly rejected by both Copenhagen and Nuuk.
Responding to the latest allegations, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said his government was alert to continued foreign interest in Greenland. “It is therefore not surprising if we experience outside attempts to influence the future of the Kingdom in the time ahead,” Rasmussen stated. “Any attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the Kingdom will of course be unacceptable.”
He confirmed that the US chargé d’affaires, Mark Stroh, had been summoned for talks at the Foreign Ministry. With Washington currently lacking an ambassador in Denmark, Stroh is the most senior American diplomat in Copenhagen.
Rasmussen stressed that ties between Denmark and Greenland remain strong and rooted in trust. However, he also issued a warning in July that Trump’s expansionist ambitions in Greenland were “not over and done,” despite widespread international criticism. Earlier this year, Trump caused alarm across Europe when he refused to rule out using military or economic pressure to assert US control over the island.
Greenland’s population of roughly 56,000 has so far strongly opposed any prospect of becoming part of the United States. Recent elections in Nuuk delivered a coalition government committed to defending self-determination, underlining resistance to external influence.
In response to increasing geopolitical pressure, Denmark has announced a 14.6 billion kroner (€1.95 billion) plan to strengthen its military presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic. Officials say the investment will enhance surveillance and defence capabilities in the region, which has grown in strategic importance amid renewed global competition.
While Copenhagen continues to cooperate closely with Washington as a NATO ally, Danish officials have made clear that any efforts—whether by individuals or governments—to disrupt its relationship with Greenland will not be tolerated.
