COPENHAGEN, Denmark — A bipartisan U.S. Congressional delegation led by Sen. Chris Coons on Saturday sought to reassure Denmark and Greenland of their support amidst President Donald Trump's controversial assertion of U.S. intentions to claim the strategically significant Arctic island of Greenland.
Sen. Coons expressed concern about the unease created by current rhetoric regarding Greenland, stressing the need to de-escalate the situation. I hope that the people of the Kingdom of Denmark do not abandon their faith in the American people, he remarked. He reaffirmed the U.S. respect for Denmark and NATO, acknowledging their longstanding partnership.
The delegation was in Copenhagen ahead of planned rallies in support of Greenland's self-governance. These comments starkly contrasted with Trump's statement earlier this week, in which he suggested that countries not supporting U.S. control over Greenland may face tariffs. This move has raised alarms as Trump claims both China and Russia have vested interests in the area, which is rich in critical minerals.
Coons noted that there are currently no security threats to Greenland and questioned the logic of Trump's proposals, emphasizing the necessity of fostering trust and cooperation with Denmark. His assertive stance aims to reaffirm the strong alliance between the two countries amidst rising tensions surrounding Greenland’s status.
Following the recent meeting between U.S. officials and the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland, which yielded no resolution to the ongoing disputes but did establish intentions to form a working group, Danish leaders have reiterated that decisions concerning Greenland must remain in the purview of the Danish and Greenlandic people.
In closing, Coons emphasized the critical nature of maintaining solid alliances, pointing out that if the U.S. actions cause NATO ally Denmark to lose confidence, it may have far-reaching repercussions for how other nations view U.S. commitment in collaborative efforts.
