Denmark’s foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen has summoned the senior US diplomat in Copenhagen over reports that American citizens carried out secret influence campaigns in Greenland. Intelligence findings suggested the efforts tried to fuel opposition to Danish rule and encourage Greenland’s separation from Denmark in favor of closer ties with the United States.

Public broadcaster DR, citing unnamed sources, said at least three Americans with links to the Trump administration were suspected of involvement. However, neither the broadcaster nor the ministry revealed their names.

The US embassy in Copenhagen has not commented on the matter.

Greenland’s Strategic Value

Greenland, an autonomous territory under Denmark, is rich in minerals and lies in a strategic Arctic location. The island has long attracted US attention, especially since President Donald Trump openly expressed interest in acquiring it for national and international security reasons.

His proposal faced sharp rejection in Copenhagen and in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital. Greenland has the legal right to declare independence through a referendum.

Danish Minister’s Strong Words

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen strongly condemned the suspected US efforts. “If anyone thinks they can influence it by creating a ‘fifth column’ or that type of activity, then it is contrary to the way states cooperate,” Rasmussen said, calling it “completely unacceptable.”

He added, “It is important for us to speak out very clearly against the United States.”

US Interest in Greenland

Greenland, once a Danish colony, now governs itself within the Kingdom of Denmark. In March, a general election revealed rising support for independence. A pro-business party that backs gradual independence won the vote, while another party demanding faster separation and closer ties with Washington secured about a quarter of the votes.

This shift underscored growing independence sentiment on the island. In response, Denmark has been working to improve ties with Greenland and strengthen support from European allies to counterbalance US influence.

Although Trump later said he respected Greenland’s right to decide its future, his earlier remarks about possibly seizing the territory by force left uncertainty among its 57,000 residents.

Greenlandic Leaders React

Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of Denmark’s parliament, warned against foreign interference. “The United States should not be allowed to influence our future in this way. It is solely up to the Greenlandic people,” she told Reuters.

She also linked the alleged influence operations to Trump’s broader ambitions. “I definitely think that this links back to the U.S. government,” Chemnitz said.

Security Concerns

Denmark’s national security agency PET cautioned that Greenland continues to be a target of influence campaigns. Such operations could exploit tensions or push certain narratives about Denmark and the United States.

Currently, the US mission in Denmark is led by Charge d’affaires Mark Stroh. Trump had earlier appointed PayPal co-founder Ken Howery as ambassador, but the role is not filled at present.