The president of the United States was shouting for 45 minutes: “Greenland is going to be ours no matter what you do!“On the other side, the prime minister of the country to which the territory that Trump covets now belongs.
That just happened but the thing comes from a long time ago. In the summer of 2019, the world watched in mixed shock and disbelief as a surreal geopolitical dispute erupted between the United States and Denmark. At the center of that unusual scene were then-US President Donald Trump and Mette Frederiksenthe newly appointed Danish Prime Minister. The reason for the confrontation: Greenland, the largest island in the world and autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, which Trump wanted to buy as if it were vacant land.
Frederiksen, in an act that many described as firm and dignified, rejected the idea outright, calling it “absurd“This episode, which involved a phone call in which Trump allegedly yelled at her for 45 minutes, marked a turning point in the beginning of his term and, at the same time, offered a clear image of who this Danish politician is. : pragmatic, direct and determined.
The beginnings of a political leader
Mette Frederiksen was born on November 19, 1977 in Aalborg, a port city in northern Denmark. He grew up in a working class family that instilled in him from a young age the values of democratic socialism and a sense of social responsibility. His father worked as a typographer and his mother was a teacher, which shaped his sensitivity to the work and educational issues that would later define his political career.
She joined the Social Democratic Party at a young age, beginning her career as an activist and quickly rising in the political arena. He studied Administration and Social Sciences at Aalborg University, and later obtained a master’s degree in African Studies at the University of Copenhagen, showing an early interest in global issues.
At 24, Frederiksen was elected to the Danish Parliament, becoming one of the youngest parliamentarians in the country. Since then, his rise has been constant. He distinguished himself for his ability to combine direct language with an inclusive political style, earning both the respect of his colleagues and the support of the public.
In June 2019, Frederiksen made history by becoming Denmark’s youngest prime minister, at just 41 years old. Representing the Social Democratic Party, he managed to build a governing coalition with other progressive parties, promising policies that balanced economic growth with social justice and environmental sustainability. Since coming to office, his leadership has been defined by a mix of pragmatism and social sensitivity that has resonated deeply with Danes.
One of his biggest challenges came in his first months in office, when Donald Trump launched an offer to buy Greenland. Frederiksen, in an interview with a Danish newspaper, called the proposal “absurd“, adding that Greenland was not for sale and was not an issue worthy of discussion. This angered Trump, who canceled an official visit to Denmark, accusing Frederiksen of being “disgusting” and, according to later reports, called her on the phone to express his frustration, yelling for 45 minutes. In that conversation, according to close sources, Trump repeatedly insisted that “Greenland is going to be ours, no matter how you feel“. Frederiksen, without losing his cool, reiterated his government’s position and defended Danish sovereignty over the territory.
Throughout her tenure, Mette Frederiksen has proven to be a strong leader in times of crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Denmark was one of the first European countries to take drastic measures to contain the virus. Frederiksen closed borders, imposed movement restrictions and oversaw an ambitious mass testing programme. These decisions, although controversial at the time, helped Denmark manage the pandemic effectively, earning it praise both nationally and internationally.
However, not everything has been easy for Frederiksen. In 2020, his government was embroiled in controversy related to the decision to cull millions of mink in the country to prevent the spread of a coronavirus mutation. Although the measure was justified from a health point of view, the initial handling of the crisis generated criticism and debates about its leadership.
Frederiksen has made it clear that his political vision focuses on defending Denmark’s fundamental values: equality, social well-being and environmental protection. He has promoted educational reforms, policies to support families and measures to reduce the country’s carbon footprint. He has also advocated a strict but humanitarian immigration policy, seeking a balance between welcoming refugees and successful integration into Danish society.
On the international stage, Frederiksen has positioned herself as an advocate for global cooperation and multilateralism. He has worked to strengthen Denmark’s relationship with the European Union and has promoted sustainability as a central axis of international economic policies. Although his confrontation with Trump may have seemed like an isolated anecdote, it reflected his ability to defend his country’s interests without giving in to external pressures.
Mother of two children and married to a filmmaker
Despite his role as a public figure, Frederiksen has maintained a low-key personal profile. She is a mother of two children and is married to filmmaker Bo Tengberg. In interviews, he has spoken about the importance of maintaining a balance between his family life and his political career, noting that his greatest inspiration is his children and his desire to leave them a better world.
Mette Frederiksen is much more than the Danish prime minister who faced Donald Trump’s cries. He represents a new generation of political leaders: pragmatic, social and committed to the global challenges of the 21st century. From his steadfast refusal to sell out Greenland to his handling of the pandemic, Frederiksen has shown that leadership is not measured by the volume of one’s voice, but by the strength of one’s convictions. Denmark, under his leadership, continues to be an example of how the values of equality and sustainability can guide a nation’s progress.
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