Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has firmly stated, “You cannot spy against an ally,” following reports that the United States has escalated intelligence gathering on Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory that was at the center of a controversial proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump to annex it.
The remarks came after an escalating spat between Denmark, Greenland, and the United States, triggered by Trump’s desire to purchase the mineral-rich Arctic island. Both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly asserted that Greenland is not for sale, while Trump had even floated the idea of using military force to acquire it, despite Denmark being a NATO ally.
Frederiksen’s comments followed an official summoning of the top American diplomat in Denmark after a Wall Street Journal report claimed that several high-ranking U.S. intelligence officials, under the direction of Tulsi Gabbard, were tasked with gathering intelligence about Greenland’s independence movement and sentiment regarding U.S. resource extraction efforts on the island.
In a statement, the Danish government confirmed a meeting between Jennifer Hall Godfrey, acting head of the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen, and Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen, a senior Danish diplomat. However, further details of the discussion have not been disclosed, and the embassy declined to comment.
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, also voiced strong disapproval of the reported espionage, calling it “unacceptable and disrespectful.” He reaffirmed Greenland’s stance that the island would “never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by just anyone.”
On the broader geopolitical context, Finnish President Alexander Stubb supported Denmark and Greenland’s concerns, expressing that the pressure they were facing “didn’t feel right.” The issue of Greenland was discussed during a security meeting in Norway among Nordic, Baltic, and U.K. leaders, with Greenland and the Faroe Islands participating via video link.
In response to the Wall Street Journal report, Gabbard’s office issued a statement accusing the publication of aiding “deep state actors” by leaking classified information. She emphasized that those responsible for such leaks would be held accountable by the Justice Department.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also weighed in, asserting that there is “no special legal regime in the Arctic,” and reaffirming that Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
