Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called on the country's business leaders on Thursday after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatened last week to take military or economic action, including tariffs, to seize control of Greenland. called a meeting.
President Trump said it was “absolutely necessary” for the United States to take control of Denmark's vast semi-autonomous Arctic island.
Frederiksen told Trump during a 45-minute phone call Wednesday that it was up to Greenland to decide its future and that Denmark was ready to do more to strengthen Arctic security. .
He also stressed that Danish companies contribute to growth and jobs in the United States, and that the EU and the United States have a common interest in expanding trade.
Denmark is home to companies such as pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, shipping company Maersk, beer company Carlsberg, toy maker Lego, jewelery maker Pandora and wind turbine maker Vestas.
“It is important to have a good and constructive dialogue with the Danish business community,” Morten Bodoskov, Minister of Trade and Industry, said in a statement. “In times of geopolitical tension, we must seek dialogue and cooperation.”
The ministry did not provide details about the time of the meeting or who was invited.
Following Frederiksen's conversation with Trump, Foreign Minister Lars Lökke Rasmussen also called members of the Foreign Policy Committee to a meeting on Thursday.
