Denmark’s PM says ‘you can’t spy against an ally’ after claims of US gathering intelligence on Greenland | World News

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said you “cannot spy against an ally” after reports of US gathering intelligence on Greenland.

The comments are the latest in the dispute over Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to push for US control over Greenland, which is a semi-autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.

They come after reports in US media that Washington’s spy agencies have been told to focus on Greenland, including on the island’s independence movement, and sentiment around US extraction of its mineral resources.

On Thursday, Denmark’s foreign minister summoned the US ambassador to address the reports in The Wall Street Journal.

Ms Frederiksen referred to the report as “rumours”, while Tulsi Gabbard, the US director of national intelligence, said in a statement she had made three “criminal” referrals to the US justice department over intelligence community leaks.

Ms Gabbard’s office said The Wall Street Journal “should be ashamed of aiding deep state actors who seek to undermine the President by politicising and leaking classified information.

“They are breaking the law and undermining our nation’s security and democracy. Those who leak classified information will be found and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

In March, Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said Washington was “not getting” the country.

Greenland, a huge, resource-rich island, is a self-governing territory of Denmark – a NATO ally of the US.

Mr Trump has said he wants to annex the territory, claiming the US needs it for national security purposes.

In March, a White House official said Greenland’s supply of rare earth minerals would power the next generation of the US economy.

Speaking to Sky News’ US partner network NBC News that month, Mr Trump said that military force was not off the table with regards to acquiring Greenland.

He said: “I think there’s a good possibility that we could do it without military force”, but warned: “I don’t take anything off the table.”

Greenland’s residents and politicians have reacted with anger to his repeated suggestions, with Danish leaders also criticising them.

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