For the second time this year, a US official has been summoned to Denmark over claims of a covert influence campaign ongoing in Greenland.
Details. The Danish Foreign Ministry summoned the senior US envoy after the main national broadcaster, Danmarks Radio, reported that Americans linked to Trump had been active in Greenland, cultivating local contacts and promoting opposition to Danish rule.
► The US response was openly dismissive, with diplomats telling Copenhagen to “calm down.” At the same time, Washington claimed the meeting had been a “productive conversation” that “reaffirmed the strong ties” between Greenland, Denmark and the US. Officials also deflected responsibility by insisting they could not “comment on the actions of private US citizens in Greenland.”
► Earlier this year, the US chargé d’affaires was also summoned in Denmark following a May report that US intelligence agencies had been instructed to prioritise Greenland.
Context. Trump’s interests in Greenland, although already voiced back in 2019, have intensified as the United States prepares for conflict with China — something we have covered in-depth in a recent article.
► Greenland’s vast rare earth mineral reserves and strategic proximity make it a key target for the US. Rare earths — critical for modern technology and military equipment — are currently dominated by China, making it vital for the US to “decouple” and secure supplies for preparing its military. While the US has secured deals in the conflict-prone Congo and Ukraine, Greenland offers a more stable and logistically accessible alternative.
► The US push is also driven by Greenland’s strategic role in Arctic militarisation. The island secures access to North Atlantic and Arctic sea routes, essential for projecting US forces against rivals such as Russia and China.