Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has chosen to skip the World Economic Forum in Davos, even as her Norwegian and Swedish counterparts changed their plans to attend the high-profile gathering where Greenland has become the dominant topic of discussion. The decision appears strategic, with analysts suggesting Denmark is avoiding a premature high-level confrontation with President Donald Trump.
Trump Heads to Davos With Greenland on His Agenda
President Donald Trump announced during a Tuesday evening press conference that he is heading to Davos with specific objectives. He said he has planned many meetings regarding Greenland and believes things will go well.
Meanwhile, the Danish government has decided not to send any representatives to the World Economic Forum in the Swiss alpine city. This absence has been noticed by both domestic and international media, especially given the intense focus on Greenland at the gathering.
A Calculated Strategic Absence
TV2’s political analyst Ask Rostrup suggests the decision is deliberate and carefully considered. According to Rostrup, there’s significant risk if a meeting between the two leaders goes badly at this stage.
If negotiations fail at the highest level, Denmark would have exhausted its diplomatic options. Only open confrontation would remain. Therefore, the Danish government appears to be preserving this final card for a last resort.
The risk of escalating an already extremely tense situation outweighs any potential benefits from attending, Rostrup explains. Denmark sees little to gain from such a meeting at this moment.
Minister Cancels His Trip
Business Minister Morten Bødskov had originally planned to attend the forum. However, he canceled his trip, explaining Tuesday that it would be “too expensive” and that his efforts would be “better used here.”
Bødskov declined to specify the cost that led him to change his mind. When pressed, he simply repeated that it had become too expensive.
However, political observers believe the price tag isn’t the full explanation. If any Danish politician were to go to Davos, it should be the prime minister herself, and only for the purpose of meeting with the American president, Rostrup notes.
Avoiding Accidental Encounters
The Danish government likely wants to avoid having other ministers accidentally run into members of the large American delegation in Davos. Such unplanned encounters could complicate the carefully managed diplomatic approach.
While Prime Minister Frederiksen doesn’t typically attend Davos, these are far from typical circumstances. Other Nordic leaders have recognized this shift and adjusted their schedules accordingly.
Greenland Dominates the Agenda
TV2 correspondent Jesper Steinmetz reports from Switzerland that Greenland has completely taken over the forum’s agenda. The gathering was supposed to focus on Ukraine, but now Greenland sits at the top of the discussion list.
International leaders plan to use the platform to convince Trump that he is completely wrong in imagining he can take over Greenland, Steinmetz explains.
Many world leaders have already used their speaking time at the summit to express support for Greenland and Denmark.
International Support Pours In
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney stated firmly that his country stands with Greenland and Denmark, supporting their right to determine Greenland’s future.
French President Emmanuel Macron, wearing blue-tinted sunglasses due to a burst blood vessel in his eye, made a thinly veiled reference that was hard to misinterpret. He said France prefers respect over bullies.
Macron also clarified that France’s participation in joint military exercises in Greenland wasn’t about threatening anyone, but about supporting an ally, namely Denmark.
Nordic Leaders Change Their Plans
Both Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre altered their schedules to attend Davos. Yet one of the drama’s central figures, the Danish prime minister, remains conspicuously absent.
On Tuesday, Frederiksen explained her decision by saying the government constantly evaluates how best to organize its work. She emphasized that significant international work continues both day and night.
The prime minister rejected suggestions that it might be wise to travel with her Nordic colleagues to Davos. She simply repeated that they organize their work as they believe is best.
Frederiksen Declines to Elaborate
When asked if she was nervous about what might happen in a room with Donald Trump, Frederiksen cut off the question. She insisted that people must trust that the government organizes its work as it sees fit.
She offered no additional comments beyond these brief statements.
No Contact Since Last Year
More than a year has passed since Frederiksen had a 45-minute phone conversation with Trump about Greenland. According to the prime minister, the discussion had been very straightforward.
They agreed to continue the dialogue, according to a subsequent press release from the Prime Minister’s Office. However, that continued dialogue apparently hasn’t happened.
According to Rostrup, the simple reason is that Frederiksen doesn’t feel she has anything new to say. Denmark’s borders remain non-negotiable.
Preserving the Final Option
Some might wonder why Frederiksen isn’t more visible in the situation, especially when messages from other world leaders appear regularly on social media. Why aren’t there messages from the Danish prime minister?
From the government’s perspective, it’s very difficult to see a win in a meeting between the prime minister and the American president right now, Rostrup explains. There’s little to gain besides the risk of further escalating an already extremely tense situation.
If they choose to meet and it goes wrong, Denmark would be left without further diplomatic and political options. Only shouting and accusations across the Atlantic would remain, and there’s already been plenty of that.
Therefore, Denmark must save that possibility for the very last moment, as a final resort, Rostrup says. Apparently, that point hasn’t been reached yet.
During Tuesday’s question time in Parliament, Frederiksen offered an ominous warning. The worst may still be ahead of us, she said.
President Trump is scheduled to speak Wednesday afternoon at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Later in the day, he will have bilateral meetings.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Why Was Greenland Granted Autonomy From Denmark
