Denmark’s Foreign Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, is set to engage in a diplomatic tour of fellow NATO members Norway, the UK, and Sweden to discuss the alliance’s security strategy in the Arctic. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Rasmussen will visit Oslo on Sunday, head to London on Monday, and conclude his tour in Stockholm on Thursday.
This visit comes in the wake of heightened tensions following US President Donald Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on eight countries, including the ones Rasmussen is visiting. These threats were specifically directed toward nations that opposed Trump’s controversial proposal to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.
Trump has expressed his concerns about Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland, suggesting that their recent military maneuvers—deploying troops to Greenland as part of a military drill—could be playing a “very dangerous game.” His administration’s focus on Greenland ties back to national security considerations, particularly in light of perceived Russian and Chinese interests in the Arctic region.
In response to the evolving geopolitical landscape, Rasmussen emphasized the necessity of strengthening NATO’s presence in the Arctic. “In an unstable and unpredictable world, Denmark needs close friends and allies,” he stated in a press release, highlighting the mutual understanding among the countries regarding the importance of a robust NATO framework in the region. He expressed eagerness to discuss collaborative efforts to enhance security measures.
In conjunction with this diplomatic initiative, an extraordinary meeting of EU ambassadors has been convened in Brussels to address the broader implications of these developments. Denmark has recently aligned with several European allies in a declaration affirming Greenland’s status as part of NATO and recognizing the shared responsibility for its security among alliance members.
This diplomatic engagement indicates Denmark’s proactive stance amid international pressures, reflecting a commitment to reinforcing alliances and ensuring regional stability in the face of shifting geopolitical dynamics influenced by US policies under Trump.
