U.S diplomat called to Denmark office over allegations of intensified surveillance activities in Greenland
Heated Tensions Arise Over U.S. Intelligence Gathering in Greenland
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen expressed "serious concerns" after reports revealed that Washington beefed up its spying activities in Greenland. On Thursday, authorities in Denmark summoned the top American diplomat in response to these alarming claims posted by the Wall Street Journal.
The US Embassy's acting head, Jennifer Hall Godfrey, met with high-ranking Danish diplomat Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen at the Foreign Ministry following the publication of the Journal's article on Tuesday.
According to the paper, several prominent officials under the Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, issued a "collection emphasis message" to intelligence agency heads, asking for surveillance on Greenland's independence movement and sentiments surrounding US resource extraction in the Danish territory.
Labeling the information as "very worrying," Rasmussen stated his government's plans to summon the US diplomat to request a rebuttal or explanation. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen echoed Rasmussen's sentiments, asserting that spying against an ally is unacceptable.
The foreign ministry and the US Embassy declined to comment, while Gabbard's office countered accusations of leaked classified information by targeting deep state actors working against the President, whom they accused of seeking to undermine national security [2][3].
Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, attracts Donald Trump's interest due to its rich reserves of raw materials and strategic position. Its melting ice caps create strategic opportunities for increased trade, energy, and transportation as regional powers vie for influence [1].
Despite Trump's ambitions to annex Greenland, a January opinion poll indicates that 85% of Greenlanders desire independence from the US [1]. Greenland's Prime Minister has elsewhere stated that the White House's comments about the island are disrespectful and that it will never be a bargaining chip [1].
A recent poll showed that over 85% of Greenlanders are against the incorporation of the island into the US. Despite President Trump's interest in annexing Greenland, the territory has consistently emphasized its unwillingness to be sold to any country.
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- Donald Trump
- USA
- Denmark
- Greenland
- The acting head of the US Embassy in Denmark, Jennifer Hall Godfrey, will likely face rebuttal from Danish diplomat Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen over allegations of US intelligence spying on Greenland's independence movement, a matter of grave concern for the Danish government.
- In the face of allegations that American diplomats are involved in intelligence activities against an ally, LinkedIn profiles of diplomats, including Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen, have gained increased attention as a means of accessing insights into diplomatic relationships and politics.
- As Greenland's independence movement garners widespread support among its citizens, with over 85% against the incorporation of the island into the US, politicians in general-news and the tech world are intensely focused on the potential repercussions for US resource extraction in Greenland and the international balance of power in the region.
