Relationship Overview
U.S. - Danish Relations
A Responsive & Compatible Ally
Research & Text by Noah Caldwell-Gatsos
As one of the founding members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Denmark is a historical and formal ally of the United States. With many shared cultural, economic, and governing values, both nations have worked well together repeatedly in modern history.
Denmark has been a highly reliable, modern, and capable military ally from the first Gulf War to countering the Islamic State. Denmark has been involved in every major U.S. military campaign for the last 30 years - to the point of sending Arctic-based ships to the Gulf not equipped with air conditioning. Since 1951, Denmark has hosted the U.S. Thule Air Base in Greenland. Small, secure powers like Denmark have been safe, long-term investments for American money and influence for more than a half-century (i.e. one that won’t confiscate it and destroy property in the midst of a war).

The Danish value their relationship with the United States highly, acknowledging the mutual benefits that result from such a partnership. They have been willing to realign various aspects of their power projection - both militaristically and economically, to suit American needs.
Policy Recommendations for Future Presidential Administrations
  1. Denmark is highly sensitive of their minor position in NATO, and their government actively tries to find ways of making meaningful contributions to the alliance beyond sums of money. Future presidential administrations should value and acknowledge this reality instead of disparaging them.
  2. Take advantage of Danish naval expertise by seeking ways to bring both navies closer together through joint military exercises and increased communication.
  3. Don't try and buy Greenland. Invest in it instead, or offer to assist the Danish in subsidizing the living costs of the island's native inhabitants.
  4. Nominate an ambassador knowledgeable in commercial shipping. Diplomats in Copenhagen are often political appointees, so if a career diplomat isn't an option, select one with expertise in sea trade.
Larger Geopolitical Implications
  • Denmark is at the forefront of American strategy against Russia.
  • Aside from their control of the geopolitically important Skagerrak Strait, Denmark hosts several U.S. bases and contributes to American military operations worldwide.
  • Their naval presence and sea borders essentially restrict Russia from exercising naval power out of their second largest city and major economic center, St. Petersburg.
  • A good relationship with Denmark allows us to limit Russian extensions of soft and hard power by having Copenhagen block projects like the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline while alerting our naval commanders to Russian submarine movements.
Past Presidential Administrations'
Policies towards Denmark
The Trump Administration [2017 - ????]
Party: Republican
Foreign Policy Ideology: Bilateral Isolationist
Secretary of State: Rex Tillerson (2017-2018) , Mike Pompeo (2018-????)
Ambassador: Carla Sands (2018 - ????)
  • The Trump Administration has a distrust of Denmark and other NATO allies for their percieved lack of concrete contributions to mutual defense.
  • In August 2019, the Trump Administrated tweeted an offer to buy Greenland, which was rebuffed by the Frederiksen Government. Trump subsequently cancelled a state visit to Copenhagen.
  • Secretary of State Pompeo has since made a call to his Danish counterpart, Jeppe Kofod, and reaffirmed the close relationship between the two countries.
The Obama Administration [2009 - 2017]
The W. Bush Administration [2001 - 2009]
The Clinton Administration [1993 - 2001]
The Truman Administration [1945 - 1953]
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