The new US ambassador does not rule out the possibility of the United States seizing Greenland by force.
Five questions without clear answers about Washington’s intentions towards Greenland were recorded against the new US ambassador, who on his first day of work in Copenhagen was officially received and his credentials were approved yesterday morning, Wednesday, by King Frederik.
According to DR, the report indicated that the new US ambassador, Ken Howery, did not completely rule out the possibility that the United States might seek to control Greenland by force, despite his repeated attempts to echo statements by US President Donald Trump affirming respect for the Greenlandic people's right to self-determination.
The website explained that Hauri, 50, is an American businessman and billionaire who co-founded the electronic payment service PayPal with Elon Musk and Peter Thiel. He also previously served as the US ambassador to Sweden during President Trump's first term.
Tension in the first media confrontation
The report noted that the ambassador appeared nervous during his first press conference in front of the royal palace after meeting the king. A public relations officer intervened to assist him when the first question was posed about Washington's plans for Greenland. The officer said, "He doesn't have time for questions now," before the ambassador left Prince Jürgen Square.
Hours later, the ambassador gave separate interviews to both DR and TV2, where the same question was raised again about whether his mission included paving the way for the United States to acquire Greenland.
Hauri responded, saying, “I would like to reiterate what the President said, which is that the United States respects the right of the Greenlandic people to determine their own future. The President also emphasized that he continues to focus on the security of the United States, especially in light of the increasingly hostile behavior of both Russia and China in the region.”.
Repeating the official stance without a clear denial
According to the website, the ambassador avoided giving a definitive answer when asked directly whether Washington might resort to force to take control of the island. He simply stated, “I refer to what the president has said previously about the importance of Greenlanders deciding their own future, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Danish government on our shared concerns about Arctic security.”.
When the journalist repeated the question for emphasis, saying, “Can we understand from this that the United States will not take Greenland by force?”, Hauri replied again, “I refer to what the president said previously.”.
When the journalist persisted and asked him a third time on behalf of the Greenlandic people if he could confirm this definitively, the ambassador replied in the same words: “I repeat what the president said, and that should reassure them.”.
Trump's statements deepen the ambiguity
DR noted that the ambassador based his remarks on a speech given by President Donald Trump to Congress last March, in which he said: “We strongly support your right to determine your future, and if you choose to do so, we will welcome you to the United States of America.”.
But in the same speech, Trump added his controversial statement: “I think we’re going to get Greenland, one way or another we’re going to get it.”.
Background to the tension between Washington and Copenhagen
The report explained that the roots of this tension go back to December of last year, when Trump announced on his social media platform “Truth Social” the appointment of Ken Houry as the new ambassador to Denmark.
In the same post, Trump wrote: “For national security and freedom in the world, the United States believes that having control of Greenland is absolutely essential.”.
The website added that Hauri officially took over his duties ten months after the announcement, and said in his remarks: “I am very grateful for the President’s confidence in me and for the opportunity he has given me to represent him and our country once again in the Kingdom of Denmark.”.
New defense agreement in the Arctic region
The report noted that last month saw the signing of a historic defense agreement between Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, which included the second phase of a plan to strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic.
The move was welcomed by the White House, with Trump sharing on his Truth Social account an article from the conservative Newsmax website, describing the agreement as a step in line with his security vision, especially after Copenhagen allocated 27 billion Danish kroner to strengthen defense in Greenland and the North Atlantic.
The White House welcomes defense investment.
DR quoted Ambassador Hauri as saying that the US administration views these new investments positively, explaining: “The United States welcomes this increase in spending on defense and security in the Arctic.”.
Hauri added: “I think we share the same concern, and I see the allocation of 27 billion kroner as an indication that the Kingdom is taking the matter very seriously.”.
When the ambassador was asked whether this meant that the idea of American control over Greenland was no longer on the table, he replied again: “I refer to what the president said previously,” adding that his personal opinion was not important on this issue, and that he believed in dialogue and cooperation to address common concerns.
