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Danish residents say President Trump’s newest push to manage Greenland is altering their view on Denmark’s relationship with America.
SCOTT SIMON, HOST:
In one other risky week for transatlantic relations, President Trump continues to proclaim that Greenland will probably be a part of the USA in some way, although it is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Leaders in Denmark and Greenland say they need to work with the U.S. however won’t negotiate on sovereignty. Danish civilians say they’re feeling whiplash, as NPR’s Barbara Sprunt reviews.
BARBARA SPRUNT, BYLINE: On the College of Copenhagen, political science scholar Villads Welling tells me his research have gone from the theoretical to the eerily sensible as President Trump continues to push to amass Greenland. He remembers that Trump floated the concept throughout his first time period.
VILLADS WELLING: I feel most individuals in Denmark have been simply laughing, saying, oh, yeah. Nicely, he isn’t going to. And he does not even know that you simply can not purchase one other nation. That is not the way it works.
SPRUNT: However Trump is doubling down, sustaining the U.S. wants Greenland for nationwide safety regardless of already having army entry. This week, he vowed to impose tariffs on European allies till a deal for the U.S. to acquire Greenland was reached after which modified his thoughts.
WELLING: We have come to appreciate that he desires to purchase Greenland. However he’s additionally prepared to threaten us, and he’s additionally prepared to take motion.
SPRUNT: His good friend, regulation scholar William Bruss (ph), places Trump’s quest this fashion.
WILLIAM BRUSS: That provides some imperialistic flashbacks. In my head, not less than.
SPRUNT: He says he grew up studying in regards to the shut alliance between the U.S. and Denmark and now sees it turned the other way up.
BRUSS: It is our – in some methods, our huge brother. It is a nation that we have at all times regarded as much as, felt that it was somebody we shared values with. So to see somebody communicate in a manner the place it not less than seems like he is prepared to throw away that cooperation – that’s surprising.
SPRUNT: Emma Firestone agrees.
EMMA FIRESTONE: There is a sense that we’re collectively dwelling by means of a tragedy.
SPRUNT: She’s initially from Boston and is elevating a household right here in Copenhagen together with her Danish husband. She mentioned regardless of the upheaval, Danes appear to attract a distinction between the U.S. authorities and People overseas.
FIRESTONE: Everyone seems to be able to recognizing that, , they aren’t Donald Trump. They aren’t their administration, they usually do not signify them.
SPRUNT: Mads Simply-Olesen is a Dane who went to highschool in Iowa.
MADS JUST-OLESEN: I imply, in Denmark, we’re – everybody could be very well mannered and likes to comply with the foundations and stand in line. And, , the concept of worldwide regulation is one thing that folks simply assume that may be revered, and it feels very far-fetched to even speak about pleasant international locations having these sorts of discussions.
SPRUNT: He says People ought to perceive that Danes have seen the U.S. as a robust ally, however that is shifting.
JUST-OLESEN: Now the dialog within the Danish media and within the office and while you speak to folks could be very a lot about how, nicely, it is time for Europe to face alone. And I feel most Danes are able to say, OK, we do not need to should depend on the U.S. for something, actually, ‘trigger it is simply too unpredictable. And it is acquired nothing to do with folks, acquired every little thing to do with politics.
SPRUNT: This week, European leaders themselves echoed the necessity to chart an impartial course with much less reliance on the USA.
Barbara Sprunt, NPR Information, Copenhagen.
(SOUNDBITE OF SKULI SVERRISSON’S “SWEET EARTH (FEAT. BILL FRISELL)”)
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