U.S. lawmakers wrap reassurance tour in Denmark as tensions round Greenland develop : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8660x5773+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F08%2F0a%2F50deabe1470ca546c98fc9ddf52e%2Fgettyimages-2255937526.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8660x5773+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F08%2F0a%2F50deabe1470ca546c98fc9ddf52e%2Fgettyimages-2255937526.jpg" class="img" alt="Pipaluk Lynge, a Greenlandic politician; Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska; Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic politician; and Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware, left to right, along with members from a U.S. congressional delegation at a news conference following a meeting at the parliament building in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Friday. Denmark and Greenland are stepping up lobbying of U.S. lawmakers in an effort to head off President Trump's push to take control of Greenland." fetchpriority="high"/> Pipaluk Lynge, a Greenlandic politician; Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska; Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic politician; and Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware, left to proper, together with members from a U.S. congressional delegation at a information convention following a gathering on the parliament constructing in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Friday. Denmark and Greenland are stepping up lobbying of U.S. lawmakers in an effort to move off President Trump's push to take management of Greenland. Nichlas Pollier/Bloomberg through Getty Pictures cover caption

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Nichlas Pollier/Bloomberg through Getty Pictures President Trump escalated his campaign for the U.S. to accumulate Greenland this weekend, simply as a congressional delegation wrapped up a visit to Denmark to attempt to flip the temperature down.

On Saturday, Trump introduced on social media that he intends to impose a ten% tariff on eight European nations, together with Denmark, due to their opposition to his plan. He vowed to boost the tariff to 25% by June if a deal to accumulate Greenland is not reached.

The menace got here on the heels of a bipartisan congressional go to to Denmark, the place 11 lawmakers tried to reassure Danish and Greenlandic politicians of U.S. help.

North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, certainly one of two Republicans on the delegation, blasted the president's announcement on social media.

"The truth that a small handful of 'advisors' are actively pushing for coercive motion to grab the territory of an ally is past silly," he posted. "It hurts the legacy of President Trump and undercuts all of the work he has completed to strengthen the NATO alliance through the years."

Over the course of the journey, the delegation met with prime Danish and Greenlandic officers, together with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who has mentioned U.S. taking on Greenland would spell the top of NATO.

"Greenland is part of Denmark. Denmark is our NATO ally. That needs to be the top of this dialogue," Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., who led the delegation, mentioned on Saturday.

"It is a second the place our very optimistic relationships have dimmed a bit, and I hope that the individuals of the Kingdom of Denmark don't abandon their religion within the American individuals," he added.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, burdened the significance of not letting this challenge "grow to be a partisan matter."

She steered there may be broader Republican opposition to Trump's plans than was mirrored within the make-up of the delegation.

"I do not assume that the absence of Republicans is as a result of they do not care about this challenge or they've already determined what aspect of the fence that they might be," she instructed reporters. "So I might not take that as an indicator of help or lack of help."

Pipaluk Lynge, a politician from Greenland who spoke with the delegation, mentioned she's been wanting to satisfy with the People for over a 12 months.

"Dialogue by social media will not come to a greater ending," she mentioned. "Dialogue head to head is de facto vital, and in addition that they hear from the Greenlandic individuals themselves."

Lynge mentioned fears in Greenland are excessive and diplomacy is essential.

"We're fearful, the kids of Greenland are fearful. However we as politicians must work on making collaboration," she mentioned. "I am hoping that this additionally will be despatched to the White Home, that we're open for enterprise and open for dialogue, to compromise."

Lawmakers as disaster diplomats The delegation highlighted the function that lawmakers can play on the world stage, assembly not solely with political figures however with the enterprise group as nicely.

"We proceed to listen to concerning the challenges that include an unpredictable and unstable political setting in america and the way that may stifle funding," mentioned Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del.

McBride mentioned the Greenlandic delegation instructed lawmakers how existential this menace feels.

"I feel it's straightforward for individuals again in america to see these headlines and to dismiss it as a present, as pure saber rattling," McBride instructed NPR. "However I can not stress for individuals sufficient how critical individuals in Greenland and Denmark are taking this."

The delegation additionally laid a wreath at a memorial acknowledging the sacrifice of Danes deployed in worldwide missions, with inscriptions of the fallen.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8640x5760+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F88%2F04%2Fe19b629c453da123ed7a3aa07a4b%2Fgettyimages-2256130892.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8640x5760+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F88%2F04%2Fe19b629c453da123ed7a3aa07a4b%2Fgettyimages-2256130892.jpg" class="img" alt="Jeanne Shaheen attends a press conference with an American delegation, consisting of senators and members of the House of Representatives, in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Saturday. " loading="lazy"/> Jeanne Shaheen attends a press convention with an American delegation, consisting of senators and members of the Home of Representatives, in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Saturday. Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP through Getty Pictures cover caption

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Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP through Getty Pictures "A black mark on America" Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., instructed NPR the go to to the memorial is a reminder of the deep sacrifices Denmark has made.

"They've stood by us in two world wars — Afghanistan," she mentioned. "Danish troopers stood aspect by aspect with People. And for America's president to point out so little regard, appreciation and understanding for what Denmark has completed is a black mark on America."

Shaheen, the rating member of the Senate Overseas Relations Committee, mentioned Trump's actions have "actual ramifications for individuals right here who really feel betrayed by America."

She added his quest to accumulate Greenland threatens the NATO alliance.

"One of many issues that has made America so robust is our allies and companions, and something that the president does to undermine these relationships, to undermine NATO, does nothing however give Vladimir Putin in Russia and President Xi in China causes to have fun," Shaheen mentioned. "And you'll guess they're celebrating now."

Trump has mentioned that China and Russia are encircling Greenland, however lawmakers have repeatedly mentioned they have not acquired any intelligence indicating that menace.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8640x5760+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F26%2F85%2F188d66a4436385d34062fe09e620%2Fgettyimages-2256745372.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8640x5760+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F26%2F85%2F188d66a4436385d34062fe09e620%2Fgettyimages-2256745372.jpg" class="img" alt="Protesters on City Square during a protest in support of Greenland on January 17, 2026 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The United States president continues to insist the U.S. must have Greenland, even by military means if necessary. Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, which has forcefully pushed back on the U.S. threats, saying they jeopardize the future of NATO." loading="lazy"/> Protesters on Metropolis Sq. throughout a protest in help of Greenland on Saturday in Copenhagen, Denmark. Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty Pictures Europe cover caption

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Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty Pictures Europe "Yankee go residence" This weekend was additionally marked by an enormous demonstration in Copenhagen, the place 1000's protested in opposition to Trump's feedback, some waving indicators that learn, "Yankee go residence."

"It is simply absurd," mentioned Christian Michaelson, who grew up in Denmark.

"If you happen to had wished a better presence within the Arctic area, you can have simply requested," he mentioned.

Charlotte Holm held an indication that learn: "People need Epstein recordsdata. Not Greenland. Greenland not on the market."

"Go away them alone," mentioned Holm, who was born and raised in Copenhagen and has household in Greenland. "I hope [Trump] will get obsessive about one thing else rapidly."