The Danish Defense Ministry report concluded that the US has increased spying on its bases in Greenland. President Donald Trump has threatened to seize Greenland from Denmark and has refused to rule out military forces to take control of the colony.
The Danish outlet Berlingske reported on Sunday that defense officials said the US had been spying on its military bases and ports in Greenland. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told the Wall Street Journal, “We do not spy on friends.”
However, the US has a long history of spying on its allies. NSA documents leaked by Edward Snowden showed Washington surveilled European leaders. The Wall Street Journal reported in May that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had ordered a “collection emphasis message” to intelligence agencies to collect information in Greenland.
In recent weeks, Trump has threatened to seize control of Greenland multiple times. The President has argued that Russia or China will invade the island if it is not part of the US. Trump has refused to rule out using military force to take Greenland from Denmark.
On Tuesday, Danish MP Rasmus Jarlov said that if the US military invades Greenland, “it would be a war, and we would be fighting against each other.”
The threats aimed at Greenland and divided the US and its European allies. In response to European states condemning Trump’s plan to seize Greenland, the President slapped tariffs on eight countries.
Some European countries are discussing counter-economic measures, such as dumping US Treasury bonds.
