High-Tension Conflict
In a dramatic turn of events, Donald Trump sought to ease weeks of escalating tensions surrounding Greenland by declaring on January 21 that he would not resort to military action to annex the territory. He revealed that a framework had been established for future discussions regarding Greenland, signaling a potential path forward.
The reactions to this announcement began to unfold immediately and will continue to develop over the coming week. Prior to this, the atmosphere had been charged, with Trump frequently expressing a desire to acquire Greenland while hesitating to completely dismiss the possibility of military intervention.
This tension prompted a vigorous response from the Danish government. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen condemned the pressure from the United States, labeling it “unacceptable.” She added that if the U.S. were to attack another NATO member—implicitly referring to Denmark and Greenland—“everything stops.”
Even as the diplomatic situation grew more strained, Frederiksen had refrained from outright denying the possibility of U.S. military action against Denmark. This uncertainty lingered until Trump publicly ruled it out on January 21, shortly before she spoke.
“Indeed, the United States is much more than just the current president,” Frederiksen remarked, highlighting the complexity of U.S. relations.
R: The EU Has Taken Over
At Christiansborg, opinions diverge on whether the United States remains Denmark’s closest ally. Martin Lidegaard of the Radicals argues that the European Union has assumed that role.
“I share the sentiment of the 60% of Danes who believe the EU is our primary ally now. In recent months, the U.S. has felt more like an adversary. I hope for a future where we can view the U.S. as a friend again, but for now, the EU stands as our closest ally,” he stated.
In contrast, Lars-Christian Brask identifies Trump as the crux of the issue rather than the United States as a whole.
“I still consider the U.S. an ally. It remains an essential trading partner and a friend,” Brask explained. “We are simply dealing with a somewhat volatile president at the moment. This period will pass, and we must strive to maintain a solid and respectful relationship with the United States.”
About the Measurement
The Epinion survey involved 1,053 completed interviews with a representative selection of Danes aged 18 and older. Conducted as a web-based panel survey between January 21 and January 28, 2026, the maximum sampling uncertainty for the overall results is ±3.0 percentage points.
