Oslo, Jan 22 (IANS) Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen has publicly accepted US President Donald Trump’s invitation to speak directly regarding Denmark’s position on Greenland, said Danish local media.
Earlier Wednesday (local time), Trump suggested that if Rasmussen truly believed Denmark would not negotiate over Greenland, he should convey that message face to face.
Responding to the challenge, Rasmussen affirmed his readiness for such a direct exchange, noting his experience in dealing directly with Trump, reports Xinhua news agency.
“I’d actually like to say it to his face. I’ve also said other things to his face. I think I can handle that,” said Rasmussen during an interview with Danish Broadcasting Corporation.
Earlier on Tuesday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that her country will not negotiate over its sovereignty, responding to US threats of tariffs in a dispute over Greenland.
Frederiksen noted that Denmark has never sought any conflicts. However, Denmark is now being threatened by its closest ally, both in terms of Danish territory and Greenlandic self-determination, she told the parliament.
On the tariffs the United States has threatened to impose, Frederiksen said a trade war would cost jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. “As much as we must warn against it, we must also prepare for it,” she said.
In a social media post over the weekend, Trump said the United States would impose a 10 per cent tariff from February 1 on goods from eight European countries opposing his ambition to control Greenland. He warned the tariff rate would rise to 25 per cent on June 1 and remain in place until a deal is reached for the “complete and total purchase” of Greenland.
The remarks have intensified a backlash that has been building across Europe.
EU leaders will hold an emergency summit in Brussels on Thursday to address the tensions, European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said Monday.
EU economy commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said the bloc could renew a pending tariff package or deploy anti-coercion measures.
–IANS
sd/
