Donald Trump Greenland row: Danish PM Mette Frederiksen ‘disappointed and surprised’ at president's cancelled visit

The Danish prime minister has said she is “disappointed and surprised” that Donald Trump cancelled his planned visit to the country over Copenhagen’s refusal to sell Greenland to the US.

Mette Frederiksen previously called the US president’s proposal to buy the semi-autonomous Danish territory “absurd”, but said his decision to call off his trip to Denmark would not affect their good relationship.

She told a press briefing she had been looking forward to the two-day visit scheduled for September 2, stressing that "the United States is one of our closest allies".

“The cancellation of the visit doesn’t change the good relationship between Denmark and the United States,” she added, while reaffirming that Greenland was not for sale.

Mette Frederiksen said she is standing behind the government head of Greenland
REUTERS

“A discussion about a potential sale of Greenland has been put forward,” she told reporters. “It has been rejected by Greenland Premier Kim Kielsen, and I fully stand behind that rejection."

However, Ms Frederiksen, who took office two months ago as Denmark's second female head of state, said relations between Copenhagen and Washington were “not in any crisis".

"I don't believe that the cancellation should have any influence on other matters," she said, adding that the “invitation for a stronger strategic cooperation with the Americans in the Arctic is still open."

It comes after the Danish royal palace also expressed its “surprise” at Mr Trump’s scrapping of his state visit, which he announced on Twitter on Wednesday.

The household had invited the US President to Denmark on September 2 and 3 as part of his European trip, at the invitation of Queen Margrethe II.

But following news they should no longer expect him, the house's head of communications Lene Balleby said: “It was a surprise - we have nothing more to say about this case.”

After Mr Trump first expressed his interest in buying Greenland, Ms Metersen commented: "Greenland is not Danish. Greenland is Greenlandic.

"I persistently hope that this is not something that is seriously meant."

Ms Frederiksen gives a statement on President Trump's cancellation of his state visit
EPA

Following her comments, Mr Trump tweeted: “Denmark is a very special country with incredible people, but based on Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s comments, that she would have no interest in discussing the purchase of Greenland, I will be postponing our meeting scheduled in two weeks for another time.

“The Prime Minister was able to save a great deal of expense and effort for both the United States and Denmark by being so direct.

“I thank her for that and look forward to rescheduling sometime in the future!”

Mr Trump previously shared a mocked-up photo of Trump tower on the island, joking he would not build anything similar if he were to acquire it
AFP/Getty Images

Mr Trump was asked on Sunday if he would consider trading a US territory for the island.

He replied: "Well, a lot of things could be done."

"Essentially it's a large real estate deal," he said.

"Denmark essentially owns it. We're very good allies with Denmark.

"We've protected Denmark like we protect large portions of the world, so the concept came up."

The suggestion was quickly dismissed by Greenlandic and Danish officials.

"So (Trump) has cancelled his visit to Denmark because there was no interest in discussing selling Greenland. Is this some sort of joke? Deeply insulting to the people of Greenland and Denmark," tweeted former premier Helle Thorning Schmidt.

"Total chaos with @realDonaldTrump and cancellation of state visit to Denmark. It has gone from a big opportunity for strengthened dialogue between allies to a diplomatic crisis," said ex-foreign minister Kristian Jensen of the Liberal Party.

Greenland, which is gaining attention from world powers including China, Russia and the United States due to its strategic location and mineral wealth, is self-governing but underdeveloped and relies on Denmark for economic support.

"Everyone should know Greenland is not for sale," Mr Jensen said of the world's largest island, where the US has a military presence at the Thule Air Base under a treaty dating back to 1951.

"(Trump's cancellation) is very, very shocking, when it is about a very close ally and a good friend," said Soren Espersen of the hard right Danish People's Party.

He said Mr Trump had effectively snubbed Queen Margrethe, Denmark's head of state, who had invited the president and his wife Melania to the country in July.

"It shows why we now more than ever should consider (fellow) European Union countries as our closest allies. The man is unpredictable," said Morten Ostergaard, leader of the Danish Social Liberal Party.

"Reality surpasses imagination."

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