Denmark’s prime minister had a 45-minute phone call with Donald Trump, in which she says she delivered the same message about Greenland as the territory’s leader: it is not for sale.
The official reading of Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s call raised in black and white one of the most stunning issues of the presidential transition: Trump describes American ownership of the world’s largest island as an “absolute necessity.”
Trump also refused to rule out military and economic power to obtain it, brandishing a version of manifest destiny and expansionism that was part of the country’s early history.
“In the conversation, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of strengthening security in the Arctic, and that the Kingdom of Denmark is ready to take on even greater responsibility for this,” Frederiksen’s office said.
‘In the conversation, the Prime Minister referred to the statements of the Speaker of the Greenland Parliament, Múte B. Egede, that Greenland is not for sale, and the Prime Minister has argued that it is up to Greenland itself to make a decision on independence the statement continued.
Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen has released a readout of her 45-minute phone call with Donald Trump, in which she says they discussed Greenland
According to the reading, he also spoke about how Greenland already contributes to American security. It has been renamed the Space Force base and maintains a territorial relationship with a NATO ally that subsidizes Greenland to the tune of about $500 million a year.
Frederiksen said in a TV interview last week: “Greenland is not for sale and will not be in the future.”
The latest development follows Donald Trump Jr.’s visit to Greenland, which itself took place after the Danish king changed the royal coat of arms to reflect the island’s importance.
On Tuesday, Greenland Prime Minister Egede spoke of his desire for Greenlandic independence, even as he pledged to cooperate with the US. capital.
“We have to be very smart in the way we act,” he added. ‘The power struggle between the superpowers is increasing and is now knocking on our door.’
Trump has called gaining U.S. control of Greenland an “absolute necessity.”
Greenland is rich in minerals and has a strategic location in the Arctic, but an inhospitable climate
Greenland’s ice sheet is melting
Greenland, a former colony of Denmark since the 18th century, became a self-governing Danish territory in 1953.
The island was given the right to declare independence through a public vote in 2009 – a move Egede strongly supports.
Vice President-elect JD Vance rejected Trump’s threat of military force in his comments on Fox News Sunday, although he emphasized Greenland’s strategic importance and rich resources.
But Trump’s critics have warned that his repeated comments about Greenland risk alienating a US ally. His comments, along with his demand for the Panama Canal and repeated comments about making Canada the 51st state, have also clouded U.S. comments condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A pro-Putin lawmaker has now publicly spoken about dividing the island between Russia and the US
According to the Danish Prime Minister’s lecture, the two also discussed the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, as well as in China. Trump allies have pointed to China as a reason to pursue Greenland to avoid its influence.
DailyMail.com has contacted the Trump transition for comment on the call.