Trump calls Danish PM's rebuff of Greenland idea 'nasty' as trip cancellation stuns Danes

[webfact]

Trump calls Danish PM's rebuff of Greenland idea 'nasty' as trip cancellation stuns Danes

By Jeff Mason and Nikolaj Skydsgaard

 

U.S. President Donald Trump returns after travelling to the AMVETS convention in Kentucky, at the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S. August 21, 2019. REUTERS/Tasos Katopodis

 

WASHINGTON/COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - President Donald Trump declared Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's dismissal of his idea to buy Greenland "nasty" and an affront to the United States on Wednesday, a day after shocking Danes by cancelling a Copenhagen visit over the rebuff.

 

Danes voiced disbelief at Trump's decision to forgo the trip, although Frederiksen said she believed relations with the United States, a NATO ally, would not be affected.

 

Trump, who built his career as a businessman dealing in real estate, had mused openly in recent days about a U.S. purchase of Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory rich in natural resources, raising eyebrows in Europe and in the United States.

 

Former Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen called it "an April Fool's Day joke" and Frederiksen called the idea "absurd." [nL5N25E0KB]

 

The latter comment set off Trump, who often becomes riled up by criticism, real or perceived. He announced the cancellation of his planned Sept 2-3 trip to Denmark in a tweet late on Tuesday. [nL2N25H008]

 

"I thought that the prime minister's statement ... was nasty. I thought it was an inappropriate statement. All she had to do is say: 'No, we wouldn’t be interested,'" Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday. "She's not talking to me. She's talking to the United States of America. You don’t talk to the United States that way, at least under me."

 

Frederiksen, a centre-left Social Democrat, said she learned of Trump's decision "with regret and surprise", given Denmark's strong relations with Washington, but she repeated her opposition to any Greenland transaction.

 

She stressed that Greenland's premier, Kim Kielsen, had ruled out selling off the territory and "I obviously agree with him."

 

But Frederiksen said the United States remained one of Denmark's closest allies. "I don't think the cancelling of this state visit should affect any decisions we make whether it is on commercial cooperation or foreign and security policies."

 

Trump's decision elicited condemnation, outrage and mockery alike among Danish opposition leaders and the public.

 

"So (Trump) has cancelled his visit to Denmark because there was no interest in discussing selling Greenland. Is this some sort of joke? Deeply insulting to the people of Greenland and Denmark," tweeted former Prime Minister Helle Thorning Schmidt.

 

"Total chaos with @realDonaldTrump and cancellation of state visit to Denmark. It has gone from a big opportunity for strengthened dialogue between allies to a diplomatic crisis," said former Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen of the Liberal Party.

 

'NOT FOR SALE'

Greenland, which is gaining attention from world powers including China, Russia and the United States because of its strategic location and mineral wealth, is self-governing but underdeveloped and relies on Denmark for economic support.

 

"Everyone should know Greenland is not for sale," Jensen said of the world's largest island, where the United States has a military presence at the Thule Air Base under a U.S.-Danish treaty dating to 1951.

 

"(Trump's cancellation) is very, very shocking, when it is about a very close ally and a good friend," said Soren Espersen of the hard-right Danish People's Party.

 

He said Trump had effectively snubbed Queen Margrethe, Denmark's head of state. Trump and U.S. first lady Melania Trump were formally invited to Denmark by the queen in July.

 

"It shows why we now more than ever should consider (fellow) European Union countries as our closest allies. The man is unpredictable," said Morten Ostergaard, leader of the Danish Social Liberal Party. "Reality surpasses imagination."

 

Trump, whose "America First" policies have resulted in strained relations with the EU over trade and other issues, said on Sunday a U.S. purchase of Greenland would be "a large real estate deal."

 

The two countries appeared to be taking steps to address tensions over the dispute.

 

Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said in a Twitter post that he had a "frank, friendly and constructive talk" with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and declared the countries "close friends and allies."

 

The State Department said Pompeo expressed thanks for Denmark's cooperation as an ally. "The Secretary and Foreign Minister Kofod also discussed strengthening cooperation with the Kingdom of Denmark – including Greenland – in the Arctic," it said in a statement.

 

Trump said he would go to Denmark another time.

 

"Greenland was just an idea, just a thought. But I think when they say it was 'absurd' and it was said in a very nasty, very sarcastic way, I said, 'We'll make it some other time.' We'll go to Denmark - I love Denmark. I've been to Denmark. And, frankly, we'll do it another time. Respect has to be shown to the United States," he told reporters.

 

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, a former NATO secretary general and Danish premier, said Trump's cancellation could work out for the best. "The Arctic's security and environmental challenges are too important to be considered alongside hopeless discussions like the sale of Greenland," he said on Twitter.

 

(Reporting by Jeff Mason and Nikolaj Skydsgaard; Additional reporting by Andreas Mortensen and David Alexander; Editing by Peter Cooney)

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-08-22

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[otherstuff1957]

Is yet another <deleted> moment from D. Trump even worth noticing?

[bendejo]

He is famously neurotic regarding germs, insects, etc.

As he was switching channels on his TV the other night he heard someone say that there is something rotten in Denmark.  That's it, trip cancelled!

 

 

[robblok]

Is this guy a good example of current American attitude / intelligence ? if so I understand why the US dropped so much in the view of so many. 

[TopDeadSenter]

23 minutes ago, webfact said:

"Greenland was just an idea, just a thought. But I think when they say it was 'absurd' and it was said in a very nasty, very sarcastic way, I said, 'We'll make it some other time.'

So true. He is right to react like this to vicious and triggered attacks against himself. He was only floating out ideas. It sounds to me the mainland Danes are terrified the Greenlanders would actually vote for Trump's plans. As a naturally rich island ruled by a strict socialist society they would almost certainly be better of under Donald's capitalism and start getting rewarded for their natural resources.

 

 Hope he does buy it after all this song and dance from the Danes.

[PatOngo]

"We'll sell you Greenland but we want New York, California  and Texas in return!"

[Carib]

It is becoming more and more apparent that this guy hasn't got all his marbles lined up. Now he is talking about how the danish prime minister used the word "absurd " in regard to buying countries or pieces thereof in this day and age. She `insulted america by using the word absurd and he will not stand for that on his watch`.  She did nothing of the kind, she described a ridiculous proposition which came out of Trumps distorted mind. She was not talking to america as Trump is now trying to sell it to the american people. The insulting part is on Trumps side by cancelling a STATE visit two weeks before it should have taken place, THAT is an insult. I cannot believe there are americans who can even remotely justify his behaviour concerning this situation which he created himself.  When does the `making america great again` start? Sofar he has done nothing else but alienate the US from friends and allies by his distorted ways. 

[Atens4]

sorry but DT is acting arrogantly as he always does.Greenland is not for sale , the deal breaker and his absurd ideas

[bannork]

37 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

So true. He is right to react like this to vicious and triggered attacks against himself. He was only floating out ideas. It sounds to me the mainland Danes are terrified the Greenlanders would actually vote for Trump's plans. As a naturally rich island ruled by a strict socialist society they would almost certainly be better of under Donald's capitalism and start getting rewarded for their natural resources.

 

 Hope he does buy it after all this song and dance from the Danes.

Come on, admit it, Trump is an embarrassment daily. The man is a laughing stock worldwide.

[SammyT]

God I always laugh when Americans go out of their way to lecture me about how absurd both New Zealand's Prime Minister and gun laws are. 

 

They really do need to take a long hard look at themselves as a nation and who they put into power

[BobBKK]

Petulant and stupid. If he has any advisors he obviously isn't listening to them (but he'll probably still win 2020).

[edwinchester]

50 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

So true. He is right to react like this to vicious and triggered attacks against himself. He was only floating out ideas. It sounds to me the mainland Danes are terrified the Greenlanders would actually vote for Trump's plans. As a naturally rich island ruled by a strict socialist society they would almost certainly be better of under Donald's capitalism and start getting rewarded for their natural resources.

 

 Hope he does buy it after all this song and dance from the Danes.

Nothing 'absurd' or 'sarcastic' at all. Simply an honest reply but the manchilds super fragile ego just couldn't handle it and yet again spat the dummy out.

[Longcut]

43 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

"We'll sell you Greenland but we want New York, California  and Texas in return!"

Gladly give you New York, California and any other Liberal state. But, you can't have Texas.

[TopDeadSenter]

26 minutes ago, Atens4 said:

sorry but DT is acting arrogantly as he always does.Greenland is not for sale , the deal breaker and his absurd ideas

Everything is for sale. It's just a question of price. 

[thasoss]

1 hour ago, TopDeadSenter said:

"Greenland was just an idea, just a thought. But I think when they say it was 'absurd' and it was said in a very nasty, very sarcastic way, I said, 'We'll make it some other time.

If it was just a thought it would have been better not to voice it.The danish PM was right to call it absurd.

[evadgib]

For a here-today-gone-tomorrow politician to snub Queen Margrethe 2 of Denmark is downright rude. She and her Kingdom have done nothing to warrant such disgraceful behaviour.....& that's from someone who isn't entirely anti-Trump!

[PatOngo]

46 minutes ago, Longcut said:

Gladly give you New York, California and any other Liberal state. But, you can't have Texas.

But that would free them of GW Bush....a godsend!

[Laza 45]

http://www.theshovel.com.au/2019/08/22/australia-offers-to-sell-new-zealand-to-us-/?fbclid=IwAR2ibhig_P_-ezMHf2s80Pl95Fl_uOKhxqZ8qhmXaD7rkBIiRbUTGwVWWFk

[Jingthing]

He always calls women critical of him nasty. He's such a misogynistic. I'll tell you who's really nasty.

 

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

 

[samran]

The definition of 'snowflake' if I have ever seen it.

 

The bloke who has no problems insulting all and sundry, gets a slightly quizzical rebuff - from a woman no less - and he calls her 'nasty'.

 

Seems like the Don has an issue with women saying no to him.

[soalbundy]

29 minutes ago, evadgib said:

For a here-today-gone-tomorrow politician to snub Queen Margrethe 2 of Denmark is downright rude. She and her Kingdom have done nothing to warrant such disgraceful behaviour.....& that's from someone who isn't entirely anti-Trump!

Most would be relieved that the crude simpleton isn't coming.

[Bluespunk]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

I thought that the prime minister's statement ... was nasty. I thought it was an inappropriate statement. All she had to do is say: 'No, we wouldn’t be interested,'" Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday. "She's not talking to me. She's talking to the United States of America. You don’t talk to the United States that way, at least under me."

No, trump, she’s just talking to you.

 

And the reason people talk to you in that way is because of the ridiculous statements you come out with. 

 

It is right that you are mocked over an idea that was so obviously not thought through on any level. 

 

And then you cancel a state visit because your ego is hurt. 

 

Utterly clueless. 

[harada]

Same same.

[NanLaew]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, a former NATO secretary general and Danish premier, said Trump's cancellation could work out for the best. "The Arctic's security and environmental challenges are too important to be considered alongside hopeless discussions like the sale of Greenland," he said on Twitter.

Oh no! A former NATO SG and Danish PM has further described Trump's stream of consciousness twittering as "hopeless."

 

We now await the US's move to DEFCON 3.

[Becker]

1 hour ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Everything is for sale. It's just a question of price. 

No, it's not. But don't let that fact stop by from continuing to defend the traitor in the WH while he keeps on alienating allies and cozy up to dictators and despots.

Putin must be so proud of his boy.

[Tug]

Just goes to show you money can’t buy class

[NanLaew]

1 minute ago, Becker said:

No, it's not. But don't let that fact stop by from continuing to defend the traitor in the WH while he keeps on alienating allies and cozy up to dictators and despots.

Putin must be so proud of his boy.

Putin maybe not so happy with his realtor though. I mean the self-proclaimed US king of real estate is renowned for flipping property, isn't he?

[Morch]

1 hour ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Everything is for sale. It's just a question of price. 

 

That might account for quite a bit of the support Trump gets on social media. Would be kinda hard explaining self-esteem issues otherwise, when factoring the need to justify his moves, about faces, statements and behaviors.

[metisdead]

Inflammatory posts have been removed. 

 

A satirical post in violation of fair use violation has been removed. 

[spidermike007]

There are certain lines you cross with your behavior that essentially revoke your right to use certain terminology when describing others. In this case, Trump does not have the right to label others as nasty, nor does he have to right to claim that others have to show America great respect "on his watch". He has shown great disrespect to nearly every one of our allies, and has shown nothing but admiration for the despots of the world. One cannot take a man like that seriously, regardless of his position. Respect has to earned, and never should be freely given. Trump does not deserve respect. He invites scorn. 

 

He just does not get any of that. A bit too simple minded to comprehend those finer nuances.