【By Observer News, Yuan Jiaqi】
Trump's greedy intentions toward Greenland are evident, and Denmark is alarmed. According to the New York Times on the 10th, the Danish Defense Intelligence Agency has raised concerns about the United States for the first time in its publicly released risk assessment report. In the new report released on Wednesday, the agency states that the shift in strategic focus of the Trump administration and increasing pressure on allies are creating new uncertainties for Denmark's national security.
According to a report by Russia Today (RT), this annual report adds a new section titled "The US is changing the agenda." This section explains that the United States is increasingly placing its own interests at the forefront, now using its economic and technological strength as a tool of power, a method also applied to allies and partners.
The 64-page report mentions the U.S. tariffs on allies, its enhanced activities in the Arctic region, and expresses concerns shared by leaders of several European countries, directly targeting the Trump administration's "America First" foreign policy.
The report states, "The United States is using economic means (including threats of high tariffs) to push its will, and even the possibility of using military force against allies is no longer excluded from its foreign policy."
The report also notes that Washington is increasingly shifting its strategic focus to competition with China, making its role as the main guarantor of European security uncertain.
Thomas Ahrenkiel, the head of the Danish Defense Intelligence Service and the author of the report, said that the U.S. strategic shift has placed Europe in a "dilemma." In a public speech accompanying the report, he emphasized that although the United States remains Denmark's "closest partner and ally," the hostility in the rhetoric of the Trump administration is growing day by day.
Video screenshot of military exercises held by Denmark in Greenland and surrounding areas
Greenland is located in northeastern North America, between the Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, and is the world's largest island, with a population of 57,000. It was once a Danish colony and achieved autonomy in 1979, with its own parliament.
However, the island remains part of Denmark, with defense and foreign affairs managed by the Danish government. This largely ice-covered island has abundant natural resources, with significant reserves of oil and natural gas on land and near the coast.
The United States has long coveted Greenland. During his first term, Trump proposed the idea of "buying the island," and after being re-elected president in 2024, he repeatedly claimed that it would not rule out the possibility of seizing Greenland through "military or economic coercion" for the sake of American "economic security needs," but this has been strongly opposed by the Danish and Greenlandic governments. The Danish government insists that Greenland is "not for sale," while the Greenlandic autonomous government states that only the people of Greenland can decide their own future.
"The strategic shift of the Trump administration has placed Denmark in an awkward situation," the media reported. Several months ago, there were allegations that three Americans closely associated with Trump had conducted "secret influence activities" in Greenland, prompting the Danish government to summon the head of the U.S. embassy in Copenhagen.
Denmark has not yet revealed the identities of the individuals involved or specific suspicious activities, but it is worth noting that the allegations emerged at a time when reports indicated that U.S. intelligence agencies had been ordered to increase intelligence gathering efforts in Greenland.
Analysts believe that Denmark's current difficult position makes it unsurprising for the intelligence community to openly express such concerns. Elisabeth Braw, a senior researcher at the Atlantic Council, stated bluntly, "If you have been paying attention to what has happened in recent months, you can understand why Denmark has had to admit that things are indeed changing."
"Denmark's situation is unique," she said, "due to the existence of Greenland, the way the U.S. deals with Denmark differs significantly from how it interacts with most European countries."
Braw added, "Whether it is economic pressure, the shift in global strategic focus, or actions in the Arctic... if the U.S. measures are creating uncertainty for Denmark, then Denmark naturally cannot ignore it."
This September, the Danish government announced a huge military procurement plan, which will see the purchase of multiple medium- and long-range air defense systems for $9.12 billion. This is the largest single military procurement plan in Danish history. However, the U.S. media noticed that Denmark is not planning to purchase the U.S.-made Patriot air defense system, but instead turning to several European manufacturers.
The report also noted that Denmark's military spending has surged since January, when Trump threatened to "control Greenland" and refused to rule out the possibility of "forcibly seizing Greenland," causing panic in Denmark.
On January 7th, local time, Trump at Mar-a-Lago declared that he would not rule out the possibility of controlling Greenland through "military or economic coercion." Video screenshot
American cable news network CNN commented that the Trump administration's statements have seriously damaged U.S.-Danish relations, even causing American defense companies to lose orders they had previously easily obtained. Denmark's large-scale enhancement of defensive capabilities is actually aimed at "preventing the U.S."
The New York Times also pointed out that the release of this Danish report coincides with heightened tensions between the U.S. and Europe: last week, the U.S. issued a new national security strategy document, emphasizing that a "huge ideological gap" has emerged between the U.S. and its traditional allies, condemning Europe as a region experiencing "economic decline and civilization extinction." This strategy immediately caused dissatisfaction among several European countries, who are concerned about the Trump administration's "hostile" attitude.
On December 8th, local time, EU leaders broke their silence. European Council President Costa, attending a meeting in Paris, France, stated that the U.S. has no right to judge Europe's policies on behalf of European citizens, and should not threaten to interfere in the political activities or internal democratic choices of its European allies.
"The U.S. no longer believes in multilateralism, and even no longer believes in the 'rules-based international order.' They also claim climate change is a lie," Costa said. "Allies should not threaten to interfere in other allies' political activities or internal democratic choices. Allies should respect each other and respect each other's sovereignty. We cannot accept threats to interfere in European political activities."
In his speech, he emphasized that the U.S. remains an ally and partner of European countries, but Europe must strengthen itself. "If you want to have a voice on the international stage, you must become stronger."
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Original: toutiao.com/article/7582477425989255720/
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