Donald Trump unleashed a flood of aggression in a 'terrible' fiery telephone conversation of 45 minutes with the Prime Minister of Denmark, while the two of the fate of Greenland discussed, sources claim.
The confrontation was described by high European officials as 'explosive' and 'confronting', in which Trump emphasized that Greenland – a vast, autonomous Arctic island under Danish sovereignty – was crucial for American national security.
The telephone conversation, which took place on January 15, five days before he became president, resulted in an unprecedented diplomatic collision.
The 78-year-old Trump is said to have threatened rates at Denmark, a NATO ally, as a way to put Mette Frederiksen, 47, under pressure to agree to his territorial ambitions.
According to sources that have been revealed to the Financial Times, the conversation has given rise to concern that Trump is actually serious about possible military action.
“It was terrible. He was very steadfast. It was a cold shower. It used to be difficult to take it seriously. But I think it is serious, and potentially very dangerous, “says the source.
The call showed the determination of Trump to promote American interests in the Arctic, a region that he regards as a crucial battlefield for global power competence with China and Russia.
“We are open to business, but we are not for sale,” the Greenlandse Foreign Minister, Ane Lone Bagger, told Reuters.
Then the newly chosen President Donald Trump unleashed a flood of aggression in a 'horrible' fiery telephone conversation of 45 minutes with the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, while the two discussed the fate of Greenland.
During the telephone conversation, Frederiksen was immovable and reportedly quoted the Greenland Parliament, which had unambiguously stated that the island was 'not for sale'.
Trumps fixation on Greenland is emblematically for his broader vision of American expansionism. On the photo the capital of Greenland, Nuuk
The strategic location of Greenland along the shortest route from Europe to North America, of crucial importance for the American warning system for ballistic missiles, has made it a priority for Trump.
Although spokesperson for the National Security Council, Brian Hughes, refused to comment on the tone of the call, he issued a carefully formulated statement in which he repeated Trump's focus on Greenland.
“President Trump has made it clear that Greenland's safety and security is important for the United States, since China and Russia make significant investments in the North Pole area,” said Hughes.
He added that Trump was determined to “work with Greenland to guarantee mutual prosperity.”
The Greenland Prime Minister Mute Eede, who has performed the pursuit of independence, repeats the feelings of Frederiksen and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and says that the island is not for sale and that it is up to the population to decide on their future.
While Trump also expressed the opportunity to take over Greenland in 2019, his refusal to exclude the use of military or economic power surprised many Danes.
Trumps fixation on Greenland is emblematically for his broader vision of American expansionism.
During his inauguration speech, he described the US as a 'growing nation' with ambitions to expand its territory.
With their Greenland initiative, the US strive for a larger share in the emerging trade routes, while the Russian Northern Sea Route and the Chinese Silk Route have attracted a lot of attention in recent years
A view of the capital of Greenland, Nuuk
His grandiose vision even extended to reflecting on the annexation of Canada and the recapture of the Panama Canal. But Greenland seems to have a special attraction for the president, who regards the country as a strategic military possession as an economic opportunity.
Frederiksen, however, was immovable. During the telephone conversation, she reportedly quoted the Greenland Parliament, which had unambiguously stated that the island was 'not for sale'.
She also emphasized the dedication of Denmark to safety in the Arctic, suggested to strengthen trade relations with the US and reminded Trump of the shared interests of the EU with America in reinforced economic ties.
But her pragmatic approach seemed to have little effect on Trump, who had publicly played on the use of economic or even military violence to apply American control over Greenland.
At least five current and former high European officials told the FT that Trump's reaction was 'aggressive'.
Frederiksen, described by experts in the field of foreign policy as a no-nonsense leader with a hard, safety-oriented approach, is not someone who easily withdraws.
An American insider in the field of foreign policy that Frederiksen had met, described her as 'the John Bolton of Europe', a comparison with the former national security adviser of Trump, known for his aggressive attitude.
Greenland has been politically connected to Europe since the 9th century, in particular with Norway and Denmark. It has been inhabited for about 800 years by the Inuit population
Greenland was colonized in 1721 with the permission of the Kingdom of Denmark-Norway and remained a colony of Denmark until 1979. It is now an autonomous area of ​​Denmark
With an area of ​​836,000 square kilometers, Greenland is a sparsely populated, arctic autonomous area of ​​Denmark. If you compare it to the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867, it can be estimated that the total price of Greenland would be around $ 230.25 million – although it is unlikely that the same standards would be used to determine the value.
The unwillingness of Frederiksen to meet the requirements of Trump may have worsened the tension, which has led to what insiders describe as a verbal stalemate.
“She doesn't seem like the type that would like to give some land,” an expert told The Hill. “Not that she is unreasonable, but she is not the kind that worries.”
The determination of the prime minister reportedly ensured that Trump became furious, and it was speculated that her hard setup had caused the escalation.
Hours after being sworn in on Monday, Trump doubled his determination to bring Greenland under American control.
From the Oval Office he rejected the objections of Denmark with characteristic Bravoure. “I am sure that Denmark will come along,” Trump said, shook the diplomatic gap of himself.
Although it is geographically part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically connected to Europe since the 9th century-in particular Norway and Denmark. It has been inhabited for about 800 years by the Inuit population.
It was colonized in 1721 with the permission of the Kingdom of Denmark-Noorwegen and remained a colony of Denmark until 1979. It is now an autonomous area of ​​Denmark.
The Danish government has control over the foreign and economic policy of Greenland, but the area left the EU in 1985 after a referendum.
The US has a military basis there, given their strategic position as the shortest intersection in the ocean between North America and Europe.
The island also has a large stock of valuable rare earth minerals – such as uranium – that do not occur in the US.
