Danish defense minister says Trump 'gone too far'
US President Donald Trump’s aspirations to annex Greenland have drawn sharp criticism, with Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stating that such ambitions are “escalating tensions” and inappropriate for a close ally. On Wednesday,...
TroibNews 
US President Donald Trump’s aspirations to annex Greenland have drawn sharp criticism, with Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stating that such ambitions are “escalating tensions” and inappropriate for a close ally.
On Wednesday, Trump asserted, “I think we’ll go as far as we have to go. We need Greenland, and the world needs us to have Greenland, including Denmark.” He emphasized the strategic importance of the island by noting, “We have to have the land because it’s not possible to properly defend a large section of this Earth – not just the US – without it. So we have to have it, and I think we will have it.”
In response to Trump’s comments, Poulsen expressed his disapproval during an interview with Danish state broadcaster DR on Thursday, calling the remarks escalatory and disrespectful. He characterized Trump’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric as a “hidden threat” against Denmark and its semi-autonomous territory.
Responding to Trump’s assertions about Greenland, Lund remarked, “I think they are going too far – both in interfering in Greenland’s internal affairs and in showing a lack of respect for its people’s right to decide their future.” He stressed that “these very powerful statements about a close ally do not suit the US president.”
Recently, Trump has frequently brought up Greenland, arguing that the U.S. must gain control of the island to enhance its “national security.”
The heightened rhetoric coincides with a visit from a significant U.S. delegation to Greenland, led by Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, alongside White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. JD Vance is anticipated to join the visit on Friday.
This trip has faced pushback from both Danish and Greenlandic authorities. Mute Egede, the acting head of government in Greenland, labeled it a “provocation” and declined to meet with the U.S. officials. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also criticized the visit, asserting there is “unacceptable pressure” being exerted by the U.S.
She stated, “I have to say that it is unacceptable pressure being placed on Greenland and Denmark in this situation. And it is pressure that we will resist,” during her comments to DR and TV2 broadcasters.
While Greenland has a population of approximately 57,000 and a strong pro-independence movement, a poll from late January commissioned by the Sermitsiaq daily indicated that 85% of Greenlanders opposed any incorporation into the U.S., with only 6% in favor.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
On Wednesday, Trump asserted, “I think we’ll go as far as we have to go. We need Greenland, and the world needs us to have Greenland, including Denmark.” He emphasized the strategic importance of the island by noting, “We have to have the land because it’s not possible to properly defend a large section of this Earth – not just the US – without it. So we have to have it, and I think we will have it.”
In response to Trump’s comments, Poulsen expressed his disapproval during an interview with Danish state broadcaster DR on Thursday, calling the remarks escalatory and disrespectful. He characterized Trump’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric as a “hidden threat” against Denmark and its semi-autonomous territory.
Responding to Trump’s assertions about Greenland, Lund remarked, “I think they are going too far – both in interfering in Greenland’s internal affairs and in showing a lack of respect for its people’s right to decide their future.” He stressed that “these very powerful statements about a close ally do not suit the US president.”
Recently, Trump has frequently brought up Greenland, arguing that the U.S. must gain control of the island to enhance its “national security.”
The heightened rhetoric coincides with a visit from a significant U.S. delegation to Greenland, led by Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance, alongside White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. JD Vance is anticipated to join the visit on Friday.
This trip has faced pushback from both Danish and Greenlandic authorities. Mute Egede, the acting head of government in Greenland, labeled it a “provocation” and declined to meet with the U.S. officials. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also criticized the visit, asserting there is “unacceptable pressure” being exerted by the U.S.
She stated, “I have to say that it is unacceptable pressure being placed on Greenland and Denmark in this situation. And it is pressure that we will resist,” during her comments to DR and TV2 broadcasters.
While Greenland has a population of approximately 57,000 and a strong pro-independence movement, a poll from late January commissioned by the Sermitsiaq daily indicated that 85% of Greenlanders opposed any incorporation into the U.S., with only 6% in favor.
Aarav Patel for TROIB News
