Denmark PM says 'you cannot spy against an ally' following reports of US spying on Greenland

Fox News - May 10th, 2025
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Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen condemned reports of U.S. intelligence activities in Greenland, asserting that allies should not spy on each other. This criticism comes as Denmark and Greenland resist U.S. President Donald Trump's ongoing interest in purchasing the autonomous Danish territory. Trump has not dismissed the idea of acquiring Greenland, citing its strategic importance, although Denmark, a NATO ally, firmly opposes such a move. The diplomatic tension escalated after the Danish foreign ministry summoned the top U.S. diplomat in Denmark for clarification on intelligence reports.

The controversy centers around reports from The Wall Street Journal, alleging that U.S. intelligence officials, under the direction of Tulsi Gabbard, were instructed to gather data on Greenland's independence movement and its stance on U.S. resource extraction. Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen criticized the U.S. actions as disrespectful. Meanwhile, Gabbard has accused the media of aiding 'deep state' actors through leaks, making criminal referrals to the Justice Department. This situation highlights the complexities of international relations and raises questions about the ethics of intelligence operations among allies.

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RATING

6.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The news story provides a detailed account of the diplomatic tensions between Denmark and the U.S. over Greenland, highlighting key statements from involved parties. It is largely accurate, drawing on reputable sources, though some claims require further verification. The article presents multiple perspectives but could improve balance by offering more responses from the U.S. side. While the language and structure are clear, additional context on historical relations and the implications of the claims would enhance transparency and readability. The topic is timely and of significant public interest, with the potential to influence public opinion and provoke debate. Overall, the story effectively informs readers about a complex international issue, though it could benefit from deeper exploration of certain aspects.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The news story presents several factual claims, such as Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's statement about not spying on allies and U.S. President Donald Trump's interest in acquiring Greenland. These claims align with reports from credible sources like The Associated Press and The Wall Street Journal. However, the story also includes assertions that require further verification, such as the extent of U.S. intelligence activities in Greenland and Trump's intentions regarding military force. The accuracy of Tulsi Gabbard's involvement in directing intelligence efforts is another area needing confirmation. Overall, while the story is largely accurate, some aspects could benefit from additional corroboration.

6
Balance

The article provides perspectives from both Denmark and the U.S., including statements from Denmark's Prime Minister and Greenland's Prime Minister, as well as comments from U.S. President Donald Trump and Tulsi Gabbard. However, it leans slightly towards Denmark's viewpoint, emphasizing their opposition to U.S. actions and Trump's controversial comments. The story could improve balance by including more context or responses from U.S. officials beyond Gabbard's criticism of leaks. The lack of direct quotes or detailed responses from the U.S. side on the espionage claims is a noticeable omission.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its presentation of the main events and statements. The language used is straightforward, and the structure follows a logical flow from Denmark's reaction to the U.S. intelligence activities to Trump's comments. However, the story could benefit from clearer delineation between verified facts and speculative elements, such as Trump's military intentions, to avoid potential confusion for readers.

8
Source quality

The article cites reputable sources such as The Associated Press and The Wall Street Journal, which are known for their journalistic standards. These sources provide a foundation of credibility for the claims made in the story. However, the article could enhance source quality by including more direct quotes or statements from involved parties, such as U.S. intelligence officials or additional Danish government representatives, to provide a fuller picture of the situation.

5
Transparency

The article provides some context regarding the diplomatic tensions between Denmark and the U.S. over Greenland. However, it lacks detailed explanations of the methodology behind the intelligence claims or the specifics of the diplomatic meetings. The story could improve transparency by offering more insight into how the information was obtained and the potential biases or conflicts of interest that might affect the reporting. This would help readers better understand the basis of the claims and any factors that could impact impartiality.

Sources

  1. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/denmarks-prime-minister-tells-u-s-you-cannot-spy-against-an-ally
  2. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/denmark-greenland-cannot-spy-against-ally-intelligence-gathering/
  3. https://news.sky.com/story/denmarks-pm-says-you-cant-spy-against-an-ally-after-claims-of-us-gathering-intelligence-on-greenland-13364288
  4. https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/05/09/denmark-summons-us-diplomat-over-reports-of-increased-intelligence-gathering-in-greenland