COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Denmark’s foreign minister summoned the top U.S. diplomat in the country for talks after the main national broadcaster reported Wednesday that at least three people with connections to President Donald Trump have been carrying out covert influence operations in Greenland.
In a lengthy written statement, the U.S. State Department confirmed that the deputy chief of mission in Copenhagen, Mark Stroh, had met with Danish foreign ministry officials. It declined to comment “on the actions of private U.S. citizens in Greenland.”
“The U.S. government does not control or direct the actions of private citizens,” it said.
The department said Stroh had “a productive conversation and reaffirmed the strong ties among the Government of Greenland, the United States, and Denmark.” It said the U.S. values its relationships with both Denmark, a NATO ally, and Greenland and noted that Trump and his top aides had all said they respect “the right of the people of Greenland to determine their own future.”
“We continue to foster engagement and cooperation with Denmark and Greenland to support increased security and prosperity for our nations,” it said.