U.S. President-elect Donald Trump reportedly had a horrendous exchange over the phone with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen regarding Greenland, with an anonymous EU official describing his tone as “appalling”.
As The Financial Times reports, during the heated contact, which lasted 45 minutes, the Danish Prime Minister made it clear that Denmark was not interested in “selling Greenland”.
According to the Financial Times, citing European officials with knowledge of the matter, the conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was far from cordial. The publication described Trump as particularly aggressive and confrontational when Frederiksen made it clear that Greenland was not for sale.
During the conversation, Frederiksen reportedly suggested strengthening cooperation between Denmark and the U.S., particularly concerning the American military bases in Greenland and the exploitation of the island’s mineral resources. However, her proposal did not appear to temper Trump’s stance.
European officials described the phone call to the Financial Times as deeply troubling. “It was appalling. He was very harsh. It felt like a cold shower,” one official said, adding that the topic had initially seemed implausible but now appeared both serious and potentially dangerous.
Another official highlighted the clarity of the U.S. position: “The intention was very clear. They want the island. The Danes are now in crisis mode. They’re completely panicking about this.”
Yet another source characterized the exchange as “a very tough discussion,” claiming Trump issued specific threats against Denmark, including the possibility of targeted tariffs.
The two politicians had spoken by phone on January 15. Then the Danish Prime Minister stated that she referred to comments made by the Speaker of Greenland’s Parliament, emphasizing that the island is not for sale and that it is up to Greenland to make its own decision regarding its independence.
