Denmark summons US diplomat after alarming reports that American citizens were allegedly conducting covert influence operations in Greenland. The issue has sparked diplomatic tension between Copenhagen and Washington, adding new friction to an already complex relationship.
Denmark Reacts to Alleged Influence Campaigns
According to Danish broadcaster DR, unnamed sources revealed that US-linked individuals sought to infiltrate Greenland’s society and promote its secession from Denmark to align with US interests. The intelligence service PET confirmed that Greenland is a target of influence campaigns, aimed at creating discord between Greenland and Denmark.
Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen issued a strong statement emphasizing that “any attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Denmark is unacceptable.” He summoned Mark Stroh, the US charge d’affaires in Copenhagen, to demand clarification. Since the US currently has no ambassador in Denmark, Stroh serves as Washington’s senior representative.
Greenland at the Center of Geopolitics
Greenland, an autonomous territory under the Danish crown, has become a focal point of global strategy due to its:
- Vast mineral wealth and untapped resources.
- Geostrategic location in the Arctic, where melting ice opens new shipping lanes.
- US military presence, including Thule Air Base.
These factors explain why the US has long shown interest in Greenland. In fact, President Donald Trump has openly declared his desire to annex Greenland, at one point even suggesting force might be an option. Vice President JD Vance criticized Copenhagen for what he sees as underinvestment in Greenland’s development, signaling Washington’s interest in the island’s future.
Earlier US Intelligence Reports
This is not the first time Denmark summons US diplomat over Greenland issues. In May 2025, a report in the Wall Street Journal revealed that US intelligence agencies were tasked with focusing on Greenland, studying its independence movement and local attitudes toward American mineral extraction.
At the time, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard did not deny the claims but criticized the reporting, calling it damaging to US national security.
DR’s latest report goes further, alleging that Americans were actively compiling lists of Greenlanders who could support a US-backed secession movement. PET has since increased its presence in Greenland and strengthened cooperation with local authorities to counter such influence campaigns.
Denmark’s Strong Message to the US
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, during a visit to Greenland earlier this year, issued a direct warning to Washington: “You cannot annex another country.” The statement came after President Trump reiterated his vision for Greenland’s inclusion in US territory, shocking many in Denmark and Europe.
As a NATO and EU member, Denmark has always regarded the United States as a close ally. Yet, Trump’s public determination to gain control of Greenland has unsettled Danish officials, who now see influence campaigns as an attempt to weaken trust within the Kingdom of Denmark.
The Bigger Picture
The Greenland controversy highlights a broader global trend where major powers increasingly turn to influence operations rather than direct confrontation. PET warned that such strategies may involve disinformation, infiltration, and exploitation of existing or fabricated disagreements.
For Denmark, summoning the US diplomat was both a symbolic and practical move to defend sovereignty. As the situation develops, the episode could reshape US-Danish relations and revive debates about Greenland’s independence and future alignment.
