Secretary of State Mike Pompeo credited Denmark with making valuable contributions to U.S. security amid a controversy over Danish disinterest in selling Greenland.
“The secretary expressed appreciation for Denmark’s cooperation as one of the United States’ allies and Denmark’s contributions to address shared global security priorities,” State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a readout of Pompeo’s Wednesday conversation with Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod. “[The diplomats] also discussed strengthening cooperation with the Kingdom of Denmark – including Greenland – in the Arctic.”
That phone call was prompted by “the postponement of President Trump’s travel to Denmark,” the State Department noted. That characterization implies that the trip could be rescheduled, as Danish officials have struck a conciliatory note in the hours since the president faulted Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen for saying it would be “absurd” to talk about selling Greenland to the United States.
“US & Denmark are close friends and allies with long history of active engagement across globe,” Kofod tweeted Wednesday, adding that he “appreciate[d the] frank, friendly and constructive talk” with Pompeo.
Appreciate frank, friendly and constructive talk with @SecPompeo this evening, affirming strong US-DK bond.
US & Denmark are close friends and allies with long history of active engagement across globe.
Agreed to stay in touch on full range of issues of mutual interest. pic.twitter.com/NQXD41tmzk
— Jeppe Kofod (@JeppeKofod) August 21, 2019
That conversation came on the heels of Trump explaining that he was scrapping next month’s state visit because of Frederiksen’s tone in shooting down the idea of selling Greenland, a former Danish colony that has had autonomy since 1979.
“[To say] that it was an ‘absurd’ idea was nasty. I thought it was an inappropriate statement,” Trump told reporters earlier Wednesday. “All she had to do was say, ‘No, we wouldn’t be interested.'”
