Denmark summons US envoy over reported covert influence operations in Greenland
Europe

Denmark summoned the US chargé d'affaires over state media reports that US officials with connections to President Donald Trump have been carrying out covert influence operations in the Danish autonomous territory of Greenland. Trump has repeatedly stated that he wants the US to annex the resource-rich island – even by force.


Issued on: 27/08/2025 - 
By: FRANCE 24

People take part in a demonstration in front of the US Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark, on April 6, 2025. © Martin Sylvest, Ritzau Scanpix via AFP

Denmark summoned the US chargé d'affaires for talks Wednesday after reports of attempted interference in Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory that US President Donald Trump wants to control.

Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has repeatedly said that America needs the strategically located, resource-rich island for security reasons, and has refused to rule out the use of force to secure it.

The vast majority of Greenland's 57,000 people want to become independent from Denmark, but do not wish to become part of the United States, according to a January opinion poll.

Watch more The scramble for Greenland: Can Danish dependency resist Trump pressure?


Public broadcaster DR reported Wednesday that government and security sources, which it didn’t name, as well as unidentified sources in Greenland and the US, believe that at least three Americans with connections to Trump have been carrying out covert influence operations in the territory.

It said its story was based on information from a total of eight sources, who believe the goal is to weaken relations with Denmark from within Greenlandic society.

The three US officials close to Trump were recently observed trying to gather information on past issues that have created tension between Greenland and Denmark, including the forced removal of Greenlandic children from their families and a forced contraception scandal, the report said.

Greenland, breaking the silence: The scandal of Denmark's forced contraception campaign

REPORTERS © FRANCE 24
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DR said it had been unable to clarify whether the Americans were working at their own initiative or on orders from someone else.

"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," Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said in a statement.

"Any attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the kingdom will of course be unacceptable," he said, adding that he had "asked the ministry of foreign affairs to summon the US chargé d'affaires for a meeting at the ministry".

(FRANCE 24 with AFP and AP)