Denmark’s intelligence report lists the US as a potential security concern for the first time, underscoring rising tensions in transatlantic relations.
The US
"uses economic power, including threats of high tariffs, to enforce its will and no longer rules out the use of military force, even against allies,"
according to the research put together by the Danish Defense Intelligence Service (DDIS).
The service's broader judgment that
"great powers increasingly prioritize their own interests and use force to achieve their goals"
includes this evaluation.
CNN has requested comments from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in Washington and the US Embassy in Copenhagen.
The report primarily focuses on the strategic challenges posed by China and Russia, as well as the instability brought about by China's growth and the ensuing worldwide change in power, aside from its warning regarding the US.
Because
"there is uncertainty about the role of the United States as a guarantor of Europe's security,"
the Danes are particularly concerned that the
"military threat from Russia to NATO will increase."
Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump showed interest in seizing control of Greenland, an autonomous, resource-rich, strategically important Arctic island that is officially a part of the Danish kingdom, straining Denmark's typically cordial relationship with its NATO ally.
After decades of tight collaboration since the conclusion of World War II, Trump's desire to emphasize the US's ties with its European partners was evident, even though he hasn't brought up that topic in months.
The recent peace negotiations in Ukraine and, most dramatically, the Trump administration's national security strategy, which took an unprecedented confrontational stance toward Europe, have exposed the US and Europe's divergent strategic priorities, putting that relationship under renewed scrutiny.
Additionally, Denmark faces interconnected challenges from both the US and Russia.
"Russia will try to exploit the US desire for a quick end to the (Ukraine) war to sow division between the US and Europe,"
according to the assessment.
How will this affect NATO cooperation with Denmark?
Denmark's intelligence report listing the US as an implicit security concern introduces rhetorical disunion but is doubtful to disrupt day- to- day NATO functional cooperation with Denmark, given Copenhagen's ongoing commitments to Baltic details and Arctic defence.
Denmark continues contributing fighter spurts, nonmilitary means and backing to NATO operations like Baltic Sea surveillance and Ukraine support, with no signs of pullout from exercises or task forces despite the assessment. The marker prompts further bilateral consultations on US policy pungency (e.g., Greenland grounding or tariffs), but Denmark's foundational NATO part hosting summits and upholding Composition 5 remains complete, as collective deterrence against Russia overrides alliance spats.
It may accelerate Danish investments in European autonomy, like Nordic defence pacts or counter-drone tech participated via NATO, to hedge against US unreliability without fracturing the collaborative defence frame.