Denmark summons US envoy over alleged Greenland influence campaign

American agents have been trying to recruit people for a secession movement, according to Danish media

Denmark has summoned the top US diplomat in the country over reports of alleged covert American influence operations in Greenland, a Danish semi-autonomous territory.

National media have claimed that at least three Americans with ties to US President Donald Trump have been involved in influence efforts in Greenland. According to public broadcaster DR, eight sources including security officials believe the operations are aimed at weakening relations between Greenland and Denmark and recruiting people for a secession movement. One operative is said to have been compiling lists of Greenlanders who would support a split from Copenhagen. The broadcaster stated it was unclear whether the individuals had acted independently or under orders.

Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen has insisted that any interference in Denmark’s internal affairs is unacceptable and ordered the US charge d’affaires, Mark Stroh, to appear at the ministry. The US currently has no ambassador in Copenhagen, leaving Stroh as the most senior American diplomat.

Read more

Denmark’s PET intelligence service has also warned of attempts to “create discord in the relationship between Denmark and Greenland” by exploiting “existing or invented disagreements,” either with “traditional, physical influence agents or via disinformation.” PET has said it has strengthened its presence in Greenland in response. 

Trump has long indicated that he wants to bring Greenland under US control, calling the island a strategically vital asset. He has not ruled out using military force to achieve that goal, stressing its mineral wealth and position in the Arctic.

Alleged US attempts to take control of Greenland come amid broader competition with Russia and China in developing the Arctic. Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the region as a zone of “enormous potential” for trade and development.