Denmark summoned the top U.S. diplomat in Copenhagen on Wednesday after reports alleged that Americans connected to President Donald Trump carried out covert influence operations in Greenland, a mineral-rich Arctic territory long coveted by Washington.
The move followed an investigation by Danish public broadcaster DR, which cited eight government, security and local sources in Denmark, Greenland and the United States. The report claimed at least three Americans with ties to Trump sought to weaken relations between Denmark and its semi-autonomous territory by cultivating contacts and compiling lists of Greenlandic citizens who could be mobilized for a secession movement.
Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen confirmed the summons and warned against external interference. "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 released through AFP. "Any attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the kingdom will of course be unacceptable."
The chargé d'affaires, Mark Stroh, currently the most senior U.S. diplomat in Denmark, was called in to meet with officials. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. CBS News reported that the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen also declined to comment on the Danish television report.
According to DR, one American allegedly compiled lists of Greenlanders who supported or opposed Trump's overtures, while others attempted to forge ties with politicians, businesspeople and ordinary citizens. The broadcaster said it was unclear whether the individuals acted independently or under instruction. Sources cited in the report voiced concern that these efforts could be used "to support Donald Trump's desire to take over Greenland."
Trump has repeatedly described Greenland as vital to U.S. national security and has not ruled out using military force to seize control of the island, despite Denmark being a NATO ally. "I'm talking about protecting the free world," Trump said in January. "You look at - you don't even need binoculars - you look outside. You have China ships all over the place. You have Russian ships all over the place. We're not letting that happen. We're not letting it happen."
Greenland's strategic value has grown with melting Arctic ice opening new shipping routes. The territory hosts the northernmost U.S. military base and is believed to contain substantial deposits of gold, silver, copper and uranium, along with significant oil potential offshore.
Denmark has repeatedly rebuffed Trump's attempts to acquire the island, most famously rejecting his 2019 proposal to purchase Greenland outright. But the allegations of covert operations mark a new point of tension.
The Danish Security and Intelligence Service, known as PET, said in a statement that "particularly in the current situation, Greenland is a target for influence campaigns of various kinds" that could exploit divisions or amplify viewpoints to strain ties between Copenhagen and Nuuk. It added that it has "continuously strengthened its efforts and presence in Greenland in cooperation with authorities there, and will continue to do so."
