On Jan. 15, President-elect Donald Trump made a 45-minute phone call with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on the topic of Trump’s intention to take over Greenland, a possession of the Kingdom of Denmark. The call has been described as both “horrendous” and a “cold shower” for Europe and for the Danes in particular.
Although Frederiksen reiterated that it is up to Greenland to decide on independence, she expressed openness to allowing the U.S. to increase its military presence in Greenland.
While one source told Financial Times that the call was “horrendous,” another said: “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.” The call reportedly left the Danes “in crisis mode” and “utterly freaked out.” Trump reiterated his threat of targeted tariffs against Denmark if it does not facilitate the deal.
