Denmark as a Eurosceptic: How Donald Trump changed that
Denmark as a Eurosceptic: How Donald Trump changed that
with Denmark, which takes over the presidency of the European Union, the Danes show a stronger pro-European attitude than in the past two decades. This change in the mood can at least partially be attributed to former US President Donald Trump.
fear of the USA
An insightful survey published by the Danish daily newspaper Berlingske in March showed that 41 % of the Danes now see the United States as a threat. In addition, 92 % of those surveyed believe that Denmark should be more dependent on the European Union than the United States for its security. In view of the latest tensions between Washington and Copenhagen, these numbers are not surprising.
The role of Trump
Since returning to the White House, Trump has spoken frequently and aggressively about Greenland, an autonomous Kronland Denmark, and expresses the desire that the United States should own it. Vice President JD Vance and members of the Trump family have made provocative trips and made statements about the largest island in the world. After Vance's visit to the US military base Pituffik in Greenland in March, the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederikse defended itself against his claim that Denmark did too little for defense in the Arctic, and called her country "a good and strong ally".
loss of trust in Trump
The Danish analyst for international affairs and former minister Lykke Friis told CNN that the market had "a triple shock", which comprises the war in Ukraine and the exit of the United Kingdom from the EU, known as Brexit. However, the biggest shock came in the form of Trump.
"Now we have another Denmark," she said. Marie Bjerre, the Danish Minister of European Affairs, conveyed a similar message-that the second Trump administration has changed the Danish perspective on the USA and the EU. "Things have changed dramatically in Denmark and our attitude towards Europe," she noticed without naming the president.
The minister made it clear that Denmark felt a certain disappointment with his long -standing allies. Bjerre further explained: "Denmark still wants to have a strong relationship with the USA, but in a situation in which the United States closes internally and threaten ourselves with tariffs, of course we have to build more on ourselves."
once strong transatlantic relationships
In the past, Denmark was jointly responsible for the loss of the second highest number of soldiers among the countries who were part of the coalition in Afghanistan - a total of 43 Danish soldiers died. "We were once a very, very transatlantic country ... but that has dropped greatly," said Friis.change from the EU perspective
The change in the opinions of the Danes coincides with Denmark's takeover of the rotating, six-month EU presidency. Historically, the southernmost Scandinavian nation was often Eurosceptic and never had the feeling of being Europe. Bjerre said: "We do things differently than other European nations."
The politicians and citizens fear that the EU would "become too dominant and too powerful", said Friis, but now "fear is the complete opposite". The Danes find the EU "too weak" to deal with Putin in the east and Trump in the West.
Prime Minister Frederiksen is said to have a significant change in her tone. In June, she announced that Denmark would leave the "economical four", an informal group of EU countries that pleaded for a limitation of the common expenses with the aim of "reviving Europe".
conclusion
With the EU Presidency, Denmark takes over at a time when the pro-European mood grows in its own population. At the same time, Europe is aware that it has to do more for its independence. The problem, however, is that some of the most pressing topics - such as Ukraine, trading tariffs and security - will find discussions with the USA and Trump. At the moment there couldn't be much sympathy between the two.
Kayla Williams contributed to this report.
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