Denmark’s annual risk assessment has identified the United States for the first time as a security concern, according to a report published by the Danish Defence Intelligence Service (DDIS) on Wednesday. This revelation highlights Copenhagen’s concerns regarding the shifting nature of U.S. foreign policy, particularly the use of economic and technological power in its geopolitical strategies, which includes actions directed at allies.
The DDIS report indicates that uncertainty surrounding the U.S.’s commitment to European security may embolden Russia to escalate its hybrid warfare tactics against NATO allies, amidst ongoing tensions highlighted by multiple reported breaches of airspace by Russian drones and aircraft.
This assessment aligns with previous reports, such as one from the Danish newspaper Politiken, which noted that the Danish government has been implementing security measures to monitor potential threats posed by former President Trump related to Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Trump’s previous insinuations of military or economic coercion to gain control over Greenland had raised alarm among Danish officials regarding U.S. intentions.
Amidst increasing competition among major powers in the Arctic—particularly the U.S., China, and Russia—the DDIS underscores the growing significance of Greenland within the context of national security interests. It warns of the heightened risks associated with espionage and influence operations targeting Denmark, particularly with respect to China’s expanding leverage in the region.
Rasmus Sinding Søndergaard, an expert on Danish-U.S. relations, argued that the Danish government is increasingly wary of Trump’s evolving approach toward Greenland, shifting from stark threats of force to a strategy of engaging the Greenlandic people on the potential economic benefits of U.S. partnerships.
The DDIS report specifically comments on the U.S. leveraging economic power—including the potential use of tariffs—as a mechanism for exerting its influence. It further states that military force is no longer off the table, even in the context of allied nations.
The implications of this report may lead to deeper discussions within Denmark and throughout NATO regarding the reliability of U.S. support in European security matters. While the report does not signal an imminent threat of attack, it raises urgent questions about the future dynamics of U.S. relations with Denmark, particularly in light of Greenland’s strategic importance. Denmark’s situation reflects broader European concerns regarding security commitments as global political landscapes continue to shift.