Denmark's prime minister summons business leaders following Trump's Greenland threat

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

16/01/2025 08:41

COPENHAGEN, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Denmark's Prime Minister
Mette Frederiksen has called the country's business leaders to a
meeting on Thursday after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump last
week threatened military or economic action such as tariffs to
take control of Greenland.
    Trump said it was an "absolute necessity" for the United
States to take control of the vast Arctic island, which is a
semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. 
    Frederiksen told Trump in a 45-minute phone conversation on
Wednesday that it was up to Greenland to decide its future and
that Denmark is willing to do more to strengthen security in the
Arctic. 
    She also emphasized that Danish companies contribute to
growth and jobs in the United States and that the EU and the
U.S. have a common interest in increased trade.
    Denmark is home to companies such as drugmaker Novo Nordisk
 NOVOb.CO , shipping group Maersk  MAERSKb.CO , brewer Carlsberg
 CARLb.CO , toymaker Lego, jewellery maker Pandora  PNDORA.CO 
and wind turbine maker Vestas  VWS.CO .
    "It's important that we have a good and constructive
dialogue with the Danish business community. In a time of
geopolitical tensions, we must seek dialogue and cooperation,"
Minister for Trade and Industry Morten Bodskov said in a
statement.
    The ministry declined to give any detail on the time for the
meeting or who was invited.
    Following Frederiksen's conversation with Trump, foreign
minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen also called members of the foreign
policy committee to a meeting on Thursday.

 (Reporting by Isabelle Yr Carlsson, Louise Breusch Rasmussen
and Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
 ((Louisebreusch.rasmussen@tr.com; +45 21 27 97 79;))