Denmark Establishes 'Night Watch' to Monitor Trump's Greenland Statements

Copenhagen Implements 'Night Watch' for Trump's Greenland Remarks

Copenhagen has established a specialized 'night watch' system within its Foreign Ministry, tasked with monitoring statements and activities by Donald Trump, particularly concerning Greenland. This initiative, reported by Danish newspaper Politiken and confirmed by other media outlets, operates daily from 5 PM to 7 AM local time, ensuring that Danish officials are promptly briefed on any relevant developments from the United States while Denmark sleeps. The system aims to manage potential diplomatic fallout and avoid overnight surprises, reflecting a strategic adaptation by Danish diplomacy to the realities of a Trump administration.

Background to the Diplomatic Tensions

The establishment of the 'night watch' stems directly from heightened diplomatic tensions surrounding Trump's repeated expressions of interest in acquiring Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Trump first publicly confirmed his consideration of purchasing Greenland in August 2019, describing it as 'essentially a large real estate deal' and strategically important. This proposition was met with strong rejection from both Danish and Greenlandic leaders. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen famously called the idea 'absurd' and unequivocally stated that 'Greenland is not for sale' and 'Greenland belongs to Greenlanders.' Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede echoed this sentiment, asserting, 'Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale.' Polls in January indicated that 85 percent of Greenland residents did not wish to become part of the United States.

Functioning and Purpose of the Monitoring System

The 'night watch' involves a dedicated team within the Foreign Ministry that works shifts to keep tabs on any pronouncements the U.S. president might make. Each morning, by 7 AM, a comprehensive report summarizing Trump's statements and activities is produced and circulated across various Danish government departments. A source close to the Foreign Ministry indicated that the time difference between Denmark and the United States was a significant factor in introducing this arrangement 'during the spring' of this year, allowing for a 'collective effort' to stay updated without officials constantly checking their phones.

Wider Diplomatic Implications and Reactions

The 'night watch' is viewed as one of several adjustments Danish diplomacy has made to navigate the complexities of a second Trump administration. Experts, such as Jacob Kaarsbo, a former chief analyst at the Danish Defense Intelligence Agency, suggest this move highlights a fundamental shift in Denmark's perception of its relationship with the U.S., implying that the notion of the U.S. as Denmark's primary ally is 'dead' under Trump's approach. The Danish Prime Minister has reiterated that the U.S. 'cannot annex another country,' emphasizing the importance of international order. Recent developments include Denmark summoning a U.S. diplomat over an alleged influence campaign in Greenland and a scheduled meeting in December in Nuuk, Greenland, involving senior representatives from the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland for formal three-party talks.