Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reportedly said that President-elect Donald Trump did not withdraw the threat of using tariffs during a phone call this week that resulted in Frederiksen saying that Greenland will choose its own path for independence. Denmark holds sovereignty over Greenland, and Frederiksen has previously said that the island is "not for sale."
According to Barrons, in a conversation with Trump on Wednesday, Frederiksen "declared that it is up to Greenland itself to decide on independence," as she also acknowledged that Greenlandic PM Múte Egede has repeatedly said that the island is not for sale.
The Danish PM said that the call was a "straightforward and long conversation” between her and Trump. Then on Thursday, according to Local Denmark, Frederiksen “confirmed that incoming US president Donald Trump did not withdraw a threat to hit Denmark with tariffs when the two spoke regarding Trump’s pursuit of autonomous territory Greenland.”
The PM said, "The Americans have suggested that, unfortunately, we could find ourselves in a situation where we work less together than we do today in the sphere of economics.”
Trump has signaled multiple times that Greenland for the United States would be of great importance and has offered to buy the island. However, both Egede and Frederiksen have previously said that the island is “not for sale” to the United States.
However, after the call, the Danish PM appears to have backed off the original position and said that Greenland will do its own bidding in the situation.
Previously, Trump told reporters when asked if he would rule out economic or military pressure in order to obtain the island, "I can’t assure you on either of those two. But I can say this: we need them for economic security.”
According to Barrons, in a conversation with Trump on Wednesday, Frederiksen "declared that it is up to Greenland itself to decide on independence," as she also acknowledged that Greenlandic PM Múte Egede has repeatedly said that the island is not for sale.
The Danish PM said that the call was a "straightforward and long conversation” between her and Trump. Then on Thursday, according to Local Denmark, Frederiksen “confirmed that incoming US president Donald Trump did not withdraw a threat to hit Denmark with tariffs when the two spoke regarding Trump’s pursuit of autonomous territory Greenland.”
The PM said, "The Americans have suggested that, unfortunately, we could find ourselves in a situation where we work less together than we do today in the sphere of economics.”
Trump has signaled multiple times that Greenland for the United States would be of great importance and has offered to buy the island. However, both Egede and Frederiksen have previously said that the island is “not for sale” to the United States.
However, after the call, the Danish PM appears to have backed off the original position and said that Greenland will do its own bidding in the situation.
Previously, Trump told reporters when asked if he would rule out economic or military pressure in order to obtain the island, "I can’t assure you on either of those two. But I can say this: we need them for economic security.”
