Reference News Network, January 31 report: The French newspaper Le Figaro's website published an article titled "Seeking Stable Allies, Denmark Turns Toward Europe" on January 28. The author is Margaux Bon. The following is a partial translation:
The ambitions of Trump to annex Greenland, coupled with his humiliating remarks about the Danish army, delivered a shockwave that made this former staunch U.S. ally turn toward the EU.
For three decades, the Dan-American alliance was unshakable. However, a phone call in January 2025 completely undermined this certainty: According to reports, Trump spent 45 minutes scolding the Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen, threatening to annex this northern island under Danish administration.
Last month and this month, the second blow completely led the Dan-American alliance to break apart: The Trump administration issued a series of threats, including again threatening to buy Greenland, military invasion by U.S. forces, and imposing tariffs on opponents; the U.S. also took advantage of Denmark's sensitive and secretive colonial history to create unrest on Greenland; even openly humiliating the Danish army, dismissing its actions in Afghanistan as "cowardice." The historical record of this Nordic country with its closest ally is being ended in a harsh way.
The direct result of this upheaval is: This Nordic kingdom, which has long remained low-key in the EU, is now resolutely turning to embrace the European continent. The "Dan-American crisis" mentioned by Copenhagen has injected momentum into this shift in the pattern.
Copenhagen revealed: "Now, in all sectors of Danish society, whether government agencies or private enterprises, those who were previously pro-American have begun to change their stance." On January 23, a survey published by the French magazine "Dazhou" showed that 51% of respondents from seven European countries view this U.S. president as "an enemy of Europe," and Denmark had the highest proportion at 58%. A mobile application that helps Danish consumers identify American-made products and provides European alternatives has become one of the most downloaded apps in the country. Even politicians who are extremely pro-American, or even support Trump, have adjusted their positions.
Denmark, like Europe, is at a critical stage of transformation: The country's current military, technological strength, and energy resources are still insufficient to completely free itself from dependence on the United States, and it dares not provoke the increasingly capricious and belligerent Trump. But this small Nordic country is gradually adopting a bold yet low-key approach, following the steps of Europe, moving toward greater autonomy, and continuously enhancing its capabilities in various fields.
Outside the defense sector, the "Europeanization" of the private sector in Denmark seems to be progressing steadily. For example, a Danish company that has long cooperated with the United States recently informally and calmly informed its American partner that they would terminate the cooperation. An industry insider joked: "They directly told the U.S. side, 'Don't expect to get our bids anymore.'" (Translated by Shu Meng)
Original source: toutiao.com/article/7601368127552651812/
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