President Donald Trump had European officials scrambling after he reportedly told Denmark he was dead serious about taking over Greenland in a recent fiery phone call, the officials told the Financial Times Friday.
Trump reportedly talked with Danish Premier Mette Frederiksen for 45 minutes during the phone call, with the premier reiterating to Trump that Greenland is not for sale while Trump pushed back vigorously, senior European officials briefed on the call told the Financial Times. Trump cited national security as one of the reasons for the potential Greenland takeover, with Russia and China‘s influence in the arctic only growing in recent years.
“The intent was very clear. They want it,” one official told the Financial Times. “The Danes are now in crisis mode.”
Trump allegedly threatened to tariff Denmark if they did not relinquish the arctic island, according to the Financial Times. Greenland hosts an abundance of natural resources, including rich oil reserves and minerals.
America currently operates Pittufik U.S. Space Base on the island, which includes a radar station which is part of the U.S.’ ballistic missile early warning system, according to the Department of Defense. Múte Egede, Greenland’s prime minister, has repeatedly stressed that the island of around 57,000 would rather be independent than submit to U.S. rule, according to the Financial Times.
Trump initially proposed the idea in 2019, which he ultimately abandoned after Frederiksen shot him down. Trump has also floated taking over the Panama Canal to deter Chinese influence on trade, as well as a half-joking insinuation that Canada should become the 51st state.
“He was very firm. It was a cold shower,” another official told the Financial Times. “Before, it was hard to take it seriously. But I do think it is serious, and potentially very dangerous.”
The Danish prime minister’s office told the Financial Times that it did “not recognize the interpretation of the conversation given by anonymous sources.”
The Danish Foreign Ministry and the White House did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s requests for comment.
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