Diplomatic tensions escalate between Copenhagen and Washington over reports of US spying in Greenland
Amid escalating international tensions in the Arctic and growing competition among global powers for influence and resources in the region, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen announced that he had summoned the US ambassador to Denmark for talks at the Foreign Ministry. This followed a report in The Wall Street Journal that the United States intends to intensify its intelligence activities in Greenland. The report cited unnamed sources familiar with the matter, according to the newspaper.
“We do not spy on our friends,” Rasmussen said before attending a meeting of foreign ministers in the Polish capital, Warsaw. “I cannot confirm the report simply because it was published in a newspaper, but what is striking is the lack of a strong denial from the parties involved, and this is very worrying,” according to the Danish news agency Ritzau.
Coordination between Denmark and Greenland
The report sparked a wave of reactions within Denmark. The Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) issued a statement confirming that the United States' interest in Greenland reflects a rise in threats related to espionage and influence from foreign countries, both against Denmark and Greenland. It added that it is in constant contact with Greenlandic authorities to take appropriate security measures.
America is seeking to identify individuals in Denmark and Greenland who support the American agenda.
For its part, The Wall Street Journal revealed that the increased US espionage activities aim to gain a deeper understanding of political movements advocating for Greenland's independence and to monitor reactions to US investments in the country's natural resources. According to the newspaper, recent instructions were sent to US intelligence agencies directing them to identify individuals in both Greenland and Denmark who support the US agenda.
A strongly worded diplomatic move
Commenting on these developments, TV2 political analyst Sus Marie Syrup said that summoning the US ambassador was “an unusual and strongly worded step,” adding: “It is very rare for diplomatic relations to reach this level of escalation, which indicates that the Danish government may have sensitive information confirming the seriousness of the situation.”
TV2's US correspondent, Lottie Millhede, argued that the report—if true—represents evidence of an organized US campaign to win the loyalty of Greenland's residents. She pointed out that the problem with espionage among allies arises when it is exposed, forcing countries to respond.
In a related development, James Hewitt, spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council, confirmed that President Donald Trump had clearly expressed U.S. concerns about security in Greenland and the Arctic region. Trump had previously expressed publicly his desire to purchase Greenland from Denmark in 2019, a proposal that was met with rejection and ridicule at the time.
“A broad American campaign for political and media influence”
Experts warn that such activities could be part of a broader political and media influence campaign aimed at supporting US ambitions to annex the island. “Intelligence operates according to the priorities of the political leadership, and it’s clear the Trump administration still sees Greenland as a strategic objective,” intelligence expert Jacob Carsbo told TV2.”
