Denmark has formally called upon the United States to honor its territorial sovereignty following a provocative social media post by Katie Miller, wife of Donald Trump’s deputy chief of staff. Miller shared an altered image of Greenland depicted in American flag colors on her X platform account, accompanied by the caption “SOON.”
The incident prompted Danish Ambassador to the United States Jesper Moeller Soerensen to issue a diplomatic response emphasizing the nations’ close defense alliance while asserting Denmark’s territorial claims. “We expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark,” Soerensen stated in his official reply.
This diplomatic friction occurs against the backdrop of former President Trump’s repeated expressions of interest in annexing Greenland, citing its strategic Arctic positioning and substantial mineral resources. The Trump administration previously stirred diplomatic tensions by appointing a special envoy to Greenland, a move that drew strong criticism from Danish officials.
Ambassador Soerensen highlighted the existing security cooperation between the NATO allies, noting Denmark’s significant $13.7 billion defense budget allocation for 2025, partially dedicated to Arctic and North Atlantic security operations. “US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security,” Soerensen emphasized, referencing Greenland’s established NATO membership through its association with Denmark.
The social media exchange coincided with reported US military operations in Venezuela, raising questions about the consistency of US foreign policy approaches toward territorial sovereignty matters. Greenland, while autonomous in domestic affairs since 1979, remains under Danish jurisdiction for defense and foreign policy matters. Despite some local movements toward independence from Denmark, polling indicates minimal support among Greenland’s 57,000 residents for incorporation into the United States.