Denmark Is A Good Ally - Why Is Trump Treating Them Like An Enemy?

The following is part of an editorial by Ida Auken (a member of the David Parliament) in The New York Times:

There are moments in history that are difficult to forget, which change the course of events. Danes have experienced several such moments in the last few months, but to me, the most defining one occurred a few weeks ago, when Vice President JD Vance said Denmark is “not being a good ally” to the United States.

Danes were stunned and stung. Our country has been nothing less than a stalwart ally of America. Many of us felt as if we were losing a longtime friend — almost as if a brother were abandoning us: The United States has been Denmark’s closest ally for 80 years. We have followed American presidents into wars that many Danes felt were not ours to fight.

Since the end of World War II, the United States and Denmark have had a strong partnership — both countries are founding members of NATO. Since 1949, NATO’s Article 5 principle of collective defense has been at the heart of this partnership, creating a safer world for us all. The only time Article 5 has ever been invoked was on Sept. 12, 2001. Less than 24 hours after the terrorist attack on the United States, its European and Canadian allies stood up to assist Americans.

Thousands of Danish troops went on to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan after Sept. 11. More than 50 of them died. That is not a small number, especially in a country of only six million people. Denmark lost roughly as many service members per capita in Afghanistan as the United States did.

In 2011, Danish pilots flew missions in Libya alongside U.S. and other NATO forces. When America has called, Denmark has stepped up.

Anger and grief prevail when we think about what to say now to the Danish parents who lost their children in these wars. How are those who have sacrificed what is most dear to them supposed to interpret the notion that Denmark is not a good ally?

It hasn’t always been easy to explain to the Danish people why they should be involved in American-led wars, but overall, we understand the importance of alliances and cherish our partnership with the United States.

I understand that changes in American political leadership bring changes in policy — that is the right of any administration. If President Trump has concerns about security in the Arctic, of course, our countries should work together to address them. But that is not the same as suggesting that Denmark is failing to uphold its commitments in Greenland or anywhere else. And it is not a pretext for America acquiring Greenland, as the president has suggested. . . .

Danes hope that our partnership with Americans can continue. We want to maintain this friendship, but we will stand firm on our principles. I will leave the final word to our prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, who made a powerful statement during her visit to Greenland on April 3: “The U.S. is a big country, and Denmark is a small one. We have looked up to you, and you have inspired us.”

But, she added: “When you demand to take over a part of the Kingdom of Denmark’s territory — when we are met by pressure and by threats from our closest ally — what are we to believe in about the country that we have admired for so many years? The country that, if any, has stood up for others’ freedom. You know us, you know what we stand for, and you know that we don’t give in.”