COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) U.S. President Donald Trumps decision to cancel a visit to Denmark next month after the prime minister described his plan to buy Greenland as absurd took the Danish royal palace by surprise, a spokeswoman said today.
Lene Balleby told The Associated Press today that the news was a surprise to the royal household, which formally had invited Trump to visit Denmark Sep. 2 and 3 as part of a European trip. She had no further comments.
Trump announced his decision by tweet after the Danish prime minister dismissed the notion of selling the semi-autonomous territory to the U.S. as an absurd discussion.
Denmark is a very special country with incredible people, but based on Prime Minister Mette Frederiksens comments, that she would have no interest in discussing the purchase of Greenland, I will be postponing our meeting scheduled in two weeks for another time, Trump said.
There was no immediate reaction from the Danish government. Former government ministers were quick to speak out, however.
Martin Lidegaard, a former foreign minister, told broadcaster TV2 that it was a diplomatic farce and said Trumps behavior was grotesque and he was throwing a hissy fit.
Trumps cancellation was deeply insulting to the people of Greenland and Denmark, former Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt wrote on Twitter.
Claus Oxfeldt, chairman of Denmarks main police union, told Danish media that authorities had been busy planning the third visit by a sitting U.S. president to the Scandinavian NATO member. As far as I know, it has created great frustrations to have spent so much time preparing for a visit that is canceled, Oxfeldt was quoted as saying.
Ordinary Danes shook their head at the news with many calling Trump an immature person living on another planet.
He thinks he can just buy Greenland, he acts like an elephant in a china shop, said Pernille Iversen, a 41-year-old shopkeeper in Copenhagen.
This is an insult to (Queen) Margrethe, to Denmark, said Steen Gade, a 55-year-old road worker.
Denmarks U.S. Ambassador to Denmark Carla Sands was apparently not informed of Trumps decision.
Shortly before he canceled the trip on Twitter, she herself sent a tweet saying Denmark is ready for POTUS, using an acronym for President of the United States along with Trumps Twitter handle, with a photo from Copenhagens City Hall square where a Dane had paid for two pro-Trump ads on giant electronic screens.
Trump had said Sunday that he was interested in buying Greenland for strategic purposes, but said a purchase was not a priority at this time. Both Frederiksen and Greenland Premier Kim Kielsen responded that Greenland is not for sale.
The Prime Minister was able to save a great deal of expense and effort for both the United States and Denmark by being so direct, Trump said. I thank her for that and look forward to rescheduling sometime in the future!
