It is still unclear exactly what the agreement that US President Donald Trump hinted at means for Denmark and Greenland. However, he is convinced that "they will be very happy". It is "a great deal for everyone", Trump shouted yesterday evening to a reporter from Danish television in Davos.
"The day ends better than it began"
At the same time, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen accidentally gave a live interview on the evening news. He himself had learned about the agreement a little earlier - during a phone call with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Rasmussen says. "The day ends better than it began. Because we learned two things: Trump has ruled out attacking Greenland. And the fight against tariffs is on hold for now. That's positive."
Rasmussen said he hopes that communication between the Danish and American governments will improve now and stressed that he continues to rely on close relations with the Americans. Because the United States is more than Donald Trump and the country continues to be Denmark's most important ally, he added. "A lot of wrong things have been said, but if I constantly get annoyed when the president says something - let's call it - undifferentiated, then things will only continue to escalate."
Government is betting on easing tensions
After Trump's speech, the Danish government is clearly betting on calming the situation. At the same time, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has made it clear that she will not negotiate on issues related to state sovereignty.
"NATO is fully aware of the position of the Kingdom of Denmark", Frederiksen is quoted as saying. "We can negotiate on everything related to politics: security, investments, economy. But we cannot negotiate on our sovereignty."
And how are the people of Greenland reacting? Many seem to not believe Trump's statements, according to a Danish radio poll conducted in the capital of Nuuk. "One moment he is threatening us with violence, and the next he suddenly says he will not use force. This is nonsense," said one respondent. "We do not want to be taken over, in any way," added another. "He can't just buy Greenland", says another comment.
Trump talks about missile system and minerals
In an interview with the American television channel CNBC, US President Donald Trump gave the first indications of what a possible agreement could mean for the Arctic island, which is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. "They will be included in a missile defense system and will receive rights to minerals, just like us."
The latter could become a cause for conflict. The fact that the US president did not discuss the topic of natural resources with the Greenland government, but with the NATO Secretary General, is causing criticism. Greenlandic MP in the Danish parliament Aaja Chemnitz wrote on Facebook on Wednesday evening: "NATO has no mandate to negotiate anything related to Greenland without our participation. And that NATO should make decisions about our natural resources is completely unacceptable."
However, many politicians in Europe seem above all relieved by the announced abolition of additional punitive US tariffs over the Greenland issue. Now the Greenlanders are eagerly waiting to find out what the deal for my island will ultimately look like and what exactly it will mean for them. Above all, they want one thing: to determine their own future.
Author: Arne Bartram (ARD)