Danish PM Condemns U.S. Spying on Greenland as Unacceptable/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rebuked the U.S. for alleged spying on Greenland, stating “you cannot spy against an ally.” The backlash follows reports that American intelligence agencies have targeted Greenland’s independence movement. The incident has strained ties between NATO allies amid growing Arctic tensions.
U.S.-Denmark Tensions Over Greenland Spying Quick Looks
- Danish PM condemns alleged U.S. spying on Greenland’s political landscape.
- Greenland is a semi-autonomous Danish territory, rich in minerals and strategically located.
- Reports say U.S. intel targeted Greenland’s independence movement and resource politics.
- Denmark summoned top U.S. diplomat for clarification after Wall Street Journal exposé.
- Greenland’s PM calls reported spying “disrespectful and unacceptable.”
- Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. intel chief, decries leaks and vows prosecutions.
- Trump has previously expressed interest in acquiring Greenland.
- Danish leaders reaffirm Greenland’s sovereignty and NATO alliance.
- Norwegian PM warns Arctic is not “terra nullius.”
- Incident intensifies concerns over militarization and sovereignty in the Arctic.
Danish PM Condemns U.S. Spying on Greenland as Unacceptable
Deep Look
Danish PM Blasts U.S. for Alleged Spying on Greenland: “You Cannot Spy Against an Ally”
OSLO — Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a blunt rebuke Friday over reports that the United States has stepped up intelligence-gathering operations targeting Greenland, warning that “you cannot spy against an ally.” Her comments underscore rising tensions between NATO partners as the Arctic becomes a new frontier of geopolitical competition.
The controversy erupted after a Wall Street Journal report alleged that top U.S. intelligence officials, under Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, instructed agencies to gather information on Greenland’s independence movement and local attitudes toward American resource extraction projects.
Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has long been coveted by the U.S. for its strategic Arctic location and rich natural resources. Tensions escalated under President Donald Trump, who in 2019 openly expressed interest in purchasing the island—only to be firmly rebuffed by both Danish and Greenlandic officials.
The latest revelations prompted swift diplomatic fallout. Denmark summoned acting U.S. Ambassador Jennifer Hall Godfrey to the Foreign Ministry, where she met with senior diplomat Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen. While the ministry confirmed the meeting, no further details were disclosed. The U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen declined to comment.
Frederiksen spoke to The Associated Press on Friday, calling the espionage allegations “rumors,” but made clear her frustration. “Of course, you cannot spy against an ally,” she said, warning that defense and security cooperation in Northern Europe must be built on trust.
Greenland Reacts with Outrage
Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also slammed the reports. In remarks to local newspaper Sermitsiaq, he called the alleged spying “disrespectful and unacceptable,” adding to growing frustration over what is perceived as American disregard for Greenland’s sovereignty and identity.
Last month, Nielsen denounced U.S. rhetoric about Greenland as “disrespectful” and reiterated that the island “will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by just anyone.”
Gabbard Responds with Fury Over Leaks
In response to the Journal article, DNI Tulsi Gabbard issued a strongly worded statement accusing media outlets of aiding “deep state actors” who leak classified information. She said she had made three “criminal referrals” to the Department of Justice and warned that anyone leaking secrets “will be found and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
“The Wall Street Journal should be ashamed,” Gabbard added, accusing the publication of undermining national security for political purposes.
Arctic Sovereignty at Stake
The dispute has reignited debate over sovereignty and military activity in the Arctic. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre addressed the issue ahead of a Joint Expeditionary Force summit in Oslo with leaders from the U.K., Nordic, and Baltic nations.
“There seems to be an assumption that law doesn’t apply in the Arctic, that it’s some kind of terra nullius,” Støre said. “It’s not. Sovereignty applies, and Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.”
As climate change opens up new shipping routes and resource opportunities, the Arctic has become increasingly militarized, drawing in global powers including the U.S., Russia, and China. The intelligence allegations risk further complicating already sensitive regional dynamics.
Strategic Stakes Rise
Greenland’s location is crucial for North Atlantic security and missile defense systems. The U.S. maintains a major airbase at Thule in northwestern Greenland, underscoring its strategic importance. Still, Danish and Greenlandic leaders are adamant that any future cooperation must be based on transparency and mutual respect.
With President Trump yet to comment directly on the report, the fallout may continue as both Danish and U.S. officials weigh the implications. For now, the message from Copenhagen is clear: even allies have limits—and trust, once breached, is not easily repaired.
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