Danish Foreign Minister Lars L\u00f8kke Rasmussen summoned the top U.S. diplomat in Denmark over intelligence reports that Americans had conducted covert\u00a0influence operations in Greenland.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Danish public broadcaster DR reported that at least three people with ties to the Trump administration were conducting the operations. The broadcaster cited unnamed security and government sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We are aware that foreign actors continue to show an interest in Greenland and its position in the Kingdom of Denmark. It is therefore not surprising if we experience outside attempts to influence the future of the Kingdom in the time ahead,” Rasmussen said in a statement sent to Fox News.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“Any attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the Kingdom will of course be unacceptable. In that light, I have asked the Ministry of\u00a0Foreign Affairs\u00a0to summon the U.S. charg\u00e9 d\u2019affaires for a meeting at the ministry.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rasmussen also emphasized that the ties between Denmark and Greenland are “close” and “based on mutual trust.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Earlier in his second term, President\u00a0Donald Trump\u00a0repeatedly spoke about seeking U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland, which is part of the Danish kingdom. In response to Trump\u2019s remarks, both Denmark and Greenland have said that the island was not for sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,\u201d Trump said in the Truth Social post.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In late 2019, Trump said that buying Greenland, which is owned by Denmark, was \u201cstrategically\u201d interesting, triggering an angry response from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDenmark essentially owns it. We\u2019re very good allies with Denmark. We protect Denmark like we protect large portions of the world,\u201d Trump said at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStrategically, it\u2019s interesting, and we\u2019d be interested, but we\u2019ll talk to them a little bit. It\u2019s not number one on the burner,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The U.S. does not currently have an ambassador to Denmark, leaving American diplomat Mark Stroh to serve as the charg\u00e9 d\u2019affaires. Stroh was summoned to the Foreign Ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nOne of the people suspected in the alleged influence operation reportedly compiled a list of U.S.-friendly Greenlanders, collected names of Trump opponents and allegedly encouraged locals to highlight cases portraying the Danish government negatively in U.S. media, according to reports. Additionally, two others are suspected of trying to create relationships with politicians, businesses and locals.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
DR cited eight sources who believe the goal was to weaken ties between Denmark and Greenland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThe Danish Security and Intelligence Service allegedly told the outlet that it believes “particularly in the current situation, Greenland is a target for influence campaigns of various kinds.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
In May, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said “you cannot spy against an ally” in response to reports that the U.S. was gathering intelligence on Greenland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n