Denmark calls for calm as Trump eyes Greenland and Canal
Lars Løkke Rasmussen, the Danish Foreign Minister, calls for calm in light of Donald Trump's remarks about Greenland. "Let us keep a cool head; we look forward to resuming cooperation with the new US administration and Donald Trump," he stated.
On Tuesday, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump did not rule out using force to take control of Greenland. His words echoed loudly around the world, including in Denmark, as Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
Lars Løkke Rasmussen emphasised that it is Denmark's responsibility to ensure security in Greenland. "We are open to a dialogue with the Americans on how we can possibly cooperate even more closely than we do to ensure that the American ambitions are fulfilled," he declared.
He also noted that Trump, before taking office, is focusing on Arctic issues. And that I can somewhat understand; it's similar for Denmark and NATO, he said during a press conference in Copenhagen.
The Panama Canal and Greenland. Trump does not rule out the use of force
Denmark is already cooperating with the U.S. in Greenland, where the American military base Pituffik (formerly known as Thule) is located. This area is strategically important because it can be used to track missiles launched towards the U.S., for example, by Russia. Rasmussen expressed his willingness to work with the new U.S. administration and to discuss security policy challenges.
The Danish opposition, including the far-right Danish People's Party, criticised Rasmussen for not having a decisive response to Trump's statements. Nevertheless, the Danish minister emphasises that there is no foreign policy crisis and that he is ready for dialogue with the Americans.
Trump did not rule out military intervention not only regarding Greenland but also in the Panama Canal. "We need them for economic security," he said on Tuesday.
"I’m not going to commit to that (renouncing military actions). It might be that you’ll have to do something. The Panama Canal is vital to our country," stated the president-elect.
