Denmark Responds to Trump's Greenland Ambitions with 24/7 Monitoring
Denmark has activated a special "night watch" operation within its foreign ministry in Copenhagen following concerning statements from former U.S. President Donald Trump about potentially annexing Greenland. This unprecedented move comes as diplomatic tensions escalate over the semi-autonomous Danish territory.
According to a recent report released Wednesday, the Danish government is taking Trump's threats seriously enough to implement around-the-clock monitoring. The former president has openly stated he would not rule out using military force to acquire Greenland, claiming the United States must control the territory for national security reasons.
Trump's Persistent Interest in Greenland
Donald Trump made his position clear during an interview with NBC's Kristen Welker in May, declaring "We need Greenland very badly." This isn't the first time Trump has expressed interest in purchasing or acquiring the world's largest island, but his recent comments suggesting potential military action have raised alarm bells in Copenhagen.
Denmark has consistently maintained that Greenland "is not for sale," but Trump's increasingly aggressive rhetoric appears to have prompted concrete defensive measures. The situation has become serious enough that Denmark feels compelled to maintain constant vigilance.
The Night Watch Operation Details
The Politiken newspaper report, cited by The Guardian, reveals that the Danish foreign ministry established daily "night watch" operations beginning at 5 p.m. local time. This system ensures the Scandinavian nation remains prepared to respond to potential emergencies or developments occurring outside normal business hours.
The monitoring team circulates a morning report across all Danish government departments, detailing any relevant overnight statements or developments that might affect national interests. A source close to the foreign office confirmed to The Guardian that "the situation in Greenland and the time difference between Denmark and the United States was quite an important factor introducing this arrangement during the spring."
The time zone difference means that when it's business hours in Washington D.C., it's evening or night in Denmark, creating a potential vulnerability that the night watch aims to address.
Diplomatic Tensions and Upcoming Talks
The situation has already affected diplomatic relations. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen recently warned U.S. Ambassador to Denmark Ken Howery to stay away from Greenland, according to Politico. Rasmussen stated bluntly: "Yes, he should [keep his hands off Greenland], and so should the U.S. in general — and the Americans know that very well."
Despite these tensions, senior officials from the United States, Denmark, and Greenland are scheduled to meet in Nuuk next month. Bloomberg and Politiken report this will mark the first official three-way talks since Trump's push to acquire the island created diplomatic friction between the longstanding allies.
This diplomatic crisis highlights the growing strategic importance of the Arctic region, where Greenland's geographic position and natural resources have attracted international attention. As climate change opens new shipping routes and access to previously inaccessible resources, the geopolitical significance of territories like Greenland continues to increase.
The establishment of Denmark's night watch represents a significant escalation in the country's response to what it perceives as a genuine threat to its territorial integrity. This development underscores how seriously the Danish government is taking Trump's statements, even as preparations continue for diplomatic discussions next month.
