A bipartisan group of senators is in Denmark talking to officials there as President Trump announces new tariffs and continues talk of seizing Greenland.
SARAH MCCAMMON, HOST:
President Trump is stepping up efforts to acquire Greenland, which is part of the kingdom of Denmark. In a social media post today, he said he will impose a new 10% tariff on several European countries that oppose the idea, including Germany, France and Denmark – that is, until they come on board. This came on the heels of a bipartisan congressional delegation going to Denmark on Friday to try to lower the temperature. NPR Congressional Correspondent Barbara Sprunt also traveled there and joins us from Copenhagen. Hello Barbara.
BARBARA SPRUNT, SIGNATURE: Hello, Sarah.
MCCAMMON: Tell me more about this delegation. Who was he and what was his goal?
SPRUNT: Well, it was a group of a dozen scientists, mostly Democrats. There were two Republicans, and both have shown a willingness in the past to push back against the Trump administration. And this was, in essence, a tour of tranquility. You know, they were coming to listen to the concerns of politicians from Denmark and Greenland, as well as some Danish business leaders. Here’s Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski speaking yesterday after an event at Statehouse.
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LISA MURKOWSKI: I think it’s important to emphasize that when you ask the American people whether or not they think it’s a good idea for the United States to acquire Greenland, the vast majority (about 75%) will say that we don’t think it’s a good idea.
SPRUNT: You know what’s interesting, Sarah: I follow these people on Capitol Hill all the time and it was almost like seeing them in a completely different job. They were diplomats. They were talking to allies who are frankly in crisis mode.
MCCAMMON: You know, that’s a really interesting distinction: diplomats versus parliamentarians. What did you see?
SPRUNT: Well, partisanship reigns on Capitol Hill. When there is an opportunity for Democrats to probe President Trump on policies or policies, more often than not, it happens. But here in Copenhagen, that’s largely not what I saw. I heard a lot of careful language, a lot about taking the knowledge they have gained here by listening to the concerns of the people on the ground with them. Delaware U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, who led the delegation, said he would even welcome conversations with the White House about what they have learned.
MCCAMMON: Needless to say, it’s a very different tone than what we’ve heard from President Trump. What was the response from politicians in Denmark and Greenland?
SPRUNT: They said they were glad the delegation came, that they had had constructive conversations, and that it was important for politicians to hear directly from Greenland officials. And while they are clear in their concern about the rhetoric surrounding the Greenland purchase, I thought their tone was truly remarkable. It was calm. They repeatedly said they are willing to work alongside the United States. Here is Pipaluk Lynge, a Greenlandic politician. Reporters asked him about Trump and his comments.
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PIPALUK LYNGE: I think it’s very important not to demonize anyone. It’s really important to focus on what we’re agreeing to and focus on the dialogue.
SPRUNT: And I think it’s really significant how measured it is, not at all irritating to what is already a volatile situation.
MCCAMMON: Now, of course, President Trump says he wants to take over Greenland because he doesn’t want China or Russia to take over it. What do officials there say about it?
SPRUNT: I’ve heard repeatedly from politicians that they haven’t received any intelligence to suggest this is an imminent threat. That said, officials from Greenland and Denmark said they are willing to work with the United States to address concerns about safeguarding the Arctic. And I should mention that the United States already has a military presence in Greenland.
MCCAMMON: What else are you hearing from the people you’re meeting there in Copenhagen, Barbara?
SPRUNT: Well, I attended a rally today, thousands of people marched to protest Trump. Lots of passion, tons of chanting: Greenland is not for sale. I saw a lot of hats that almost looked like the signature red Make America Great Again hats, but they said: Make America Go Away. I approached a gentleman who had a sign showing a picture of Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker and said: Americans, we know there is good in you, come to your senses. His name is Peder Dam and he said he doesn’t think Trump’s demands are necessarily representative of what all Americans want, but he does wonder why there isn’t more outrage.
PEDER DAM: I can’t understand it. If my government said it would attack Sweden, then I would step forward and protest about it. Why aren’t more regular Americans stepping up, going to rallies, and trying to protest what’s happening?
SPRUNT: And this is the general sentiment I heard from people. They feel downright betrayed by a key ally and are deeply concerned about their future.
MCCAMMON: NPR’s Barbara Sprunt, reporting from Copenhagen. Thank you, Barbara.
SPRUNT: Thank you.
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