As Denmark assumes the presidency of the European Union, the country’s sentiment towards the EU has undergone a significant transformation. Historically, Denmark has been known for its Euroskeptic views, but recent developments have led to a notable shift in perspective.
According to Lykke Friis, a prominent Danish international affairs analyst and former minister, Denmark has experienced a “triple shock” – the war in Ukraine, Brexit, and the emergence of Donald Trump as a dominant force in US politics. The biggest shock, however, has come in the form of Trump.
The Danish minister for European affairs, Marie Bjerre, echoes this sentiment, stating that the second Trump administration has dramatically changed Danish perspectives toward both the US and the European Union. “Things have dramatically changed in Denmark and our attitude toward Europe,” she said, without directly mentioning the president’s name.
This shift in sentiment is reflected in a survey published in March by Berlingske, a Danish daily newspaper, which found that 41% of Danes now see the United States as a threat, while 92% of respondents agree that Denmark needs to rely more on the European Union than the US for its security.
Denmark’s priorities for its six-month EU presidency include strengthening Europe’s security and defense capabilities, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the perceived threat from Russia. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized the need for Europe to step up and stand together, saying, “Now more than ever Europe needs to step up and stand together.
We have to build an even stronger Europe, a more secure Europe where we are able to protect our democracies.” Denmark’s EU presidency will also focus on promoting economic competitiveness and tackling climate change.
Bjerre highlighted the importance of a “stronger Europe and a changing world,” with a focus on security. “The world order, as we have known it since the Second World War, is changing, and we have to deliver to that geopolitical new situation that we are standing in,” she added.
The Danish government’s priorities are reflected in the country’s decision to quit the “Frugal Four,” an informal group of EU nations that had pushed to limit common spending, with Frederiksen stating that “the most important thing is to rearm Europe”.
The relationship between Denmark and the US has become increasingly strained due to Trump’s policies. Trump’s aggressive comments on Greenland, an autonomous crown dependency of Denmark, have sparked concerns about the country’s sovereignty. In 2019, Trump reportedly accused Frederiksen of making a “nasty” and “absurd” statement in discussions about the island.
Vice President JD Vance’s visit to the US military’s Pituffik Space Base in Greenland in March also drew criticism from Frederiksen, who pushed back on his claim that Denmark isn’t doing enough for defense in the Arctic, calling her country “a good and strong ally.”
Bjerre expressed disappointment in the longtime ally, stating that Denmark would still like to have a strong relationship with the US, “but in a situation where the US is closing itself more around itself… is threatening us with tariffs and also criticizing Europe, our freedom of expression and all sorts of other things. Of course, in that situation, we have to be stronger on our own.” Friis added, “There is now the feeling… we simply cannot trust him,” referring to Trump.
Denmark’s shift in sentiment towards the EU is a significant development, reflecting the country’s growing recognition of the importance of European cooperation in the face of global challenges. As Denmark takes the helm of the EU presidency, its priorities will likely be shaped by its experiences and concerns about the impact of Trump’s policies on European security and stability. With a focus on strengthening Europe’s security and defense capabilities, promoting economic competitiveness, and tackling climate change, Denmark’s EU presidency is set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the European Union.