Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said you “cannot spy against an ally” after reports of US gathering intelligence on Greenland.
The comments are the latest in the dispute over Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to push for US control over Greenland, which is a semi-autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.
They come after reports in US media that Washington’s spy agencies have been told to focus on Greenland, including on the island’s independence movement, and sentiment around US extraction of its mineral resources.
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Why does the US want Greenland?
On Thursday, Denmark’s foreign minister summoned the US ambassador to address the reports in The Wall Street Journal.
Tulsi Gabbard, the US director of national intelligence, did not deny the stories, which Ms Frederiksen referred to as “rumours”, but did condemn those responsible for leaking classified information.
Ms Gabbard said in a statement she had made three “criminal” referrals to the US justice department over intelligence community leaks and said The Wall Street Journal “should be ashamed of aiding deep state actors who seek to undermine the President by politicising and leaking classified information.
“They are breaking the law and undermining our nation’s security and democracy. Those who leak classified information will be found and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
In March, Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said Washington was “not getting” the country.
Greenland, a huge, resource-rich island, is a self-governing territory of Denmark – a NATO ally of the US.
Mr Trump has said he wants to annex the territory, claiming the US needs it for national security purposes.
In March, a White House official said Greenland’s supply of rare earth minerals would power the next generation of the US economy.
Speaking to Sky News’ US partner network NBC News that month, Mr Trump said that military force was not off the table with regards to acquiring Greenland.
He said: “I think there’s a good possibility that we could do it without military force”, but warned: “I don’t take anything off the table.”
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Greenland’s residents and politicians have reacted with anger to his repeated suggestions, with Danish leaders also criticising them.
Mr Nielsen was speaking days after after US Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland with his wife Usha and senior US officials.
Mr Vance visited an American military base on the island and claimed Denmark has “not done a good job” in relation to the territory.
He said: “Our message to Denmark is very simple: you have not done a good job by the people of Greenland.
“You have underinvested in the people of Greenland, and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people.”
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