State Visit from the USA to Denmark: September 2-3, 2019 {Cancelled}

[carina_a]

Well well well, from announcement to cancellation, this state visit really sounds like a joke. It went from "I'm coming next month, receive me!" to "I'm not coming anymore!" so fast...

[tommy100]

Originally Posted by Tarlita

I just read the Presidents tweet.
He said, I will be POSTPONING the visit. That doesn't mean an outright cancellation, never to make this visit. Postpone means putting the visit off to another time.

So hold onto the Spam tins and alert McDonalds, there could still be a visit at a later date.
However, I very much doubt it.

Can anyone tell me why Potus is going to Poland. I wonder if he will cancel that too.

Wouldn't surprise me if he finds HM and the RF a tad too busy to meet him, the Queen has a tray to cover in paper I think you'll find lol

[JessRulz]

A few speculative and empty posts have been removed.

[rob2008]

The damage to the Atlantic partnership is considerable. Beyond the formal alliance is a very positive attitude of mutual respect and friendship. The main player has acted disrespectfully and arbitrarily. I think this is how early medieval European monarchs might have carried out their 'diplomacy'. In our increasingly unstable world we all depend on a US 'monarch' who is reliable and who follows the rules-based system of international cooperation. It becomes a free for all when diplomacy is disparaged. It feels like an attack on diplomacy and on a country that helps set the standard for making a more civilised world order. Margrethe II has just about the most credibility of all leaders in the world. Her Prime Ministers have also been dignified and well regarded (but they come and go). She knows how to deal with rude people and offensive behaviour. Long may she reign.

[Duc_et_Pair]

It is the second cancellation with a Royal House involved:

On August 31st 2019 several royal guests will attend the 75th Annoversary of the fiercely fought Battle of the Scheldt (the wide river delta through Zealand giving entrance to the Port of Antwerp).

The Dutch Court had already announced the invitation of the King to the President (after positive signals from the Dutch-born US Ambassador and the State Department). In the end Trump was not willing to come... Painful for the Dutch and swiftly the announcement was removed from the Dutch Royal House website.

And now this embarrassing episode with another ally, another Royal House....

[Kingen]

This means that H.M. The Queen will have public audiences at Christiansborg Palace after all. A good decision to spend the day on meeting people that really wants to meet you instead.

Offentlig audiens den 2. september gennemføres som tidligere planlagt | Kongehuset

[Tarlita]

What I find strange is that the visit was announced Before the lightbulb moment of wanting to buy Greenland. At that time the US must have thought they could have meaningful dialogue and discussions.
So just because buying Greenland is too much of a pie in the sky idea, doesn't mean that constructive discussions cannot go ahead.
Unless you are Trump and when you can't get your own way then pull out altogether.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Archduchess Zelia

I'm sure Greenland's royal family is more than pleased not to have to entertain ... someone who so grossly has offended the Greenlandic people with the obscene suggestion that they and their country are somehow for sale. After all, this was Mary's reaction to him before he had even begun to insult the country of which she too is Crown Princess

Again, just to be fair, it was not considered obscene for Russia to sell Alaska to the US in 1867, or for Denmark to sell the Virgin Islands to the same United States in 1917. That shows how perceptions have changed over the last 150 years or so.

I am pretty sure that Denmark will remain closely aligned with the US as it depends on NATO for its defense , especially with a resurgent Russia nearby.

[MARG]

I really feel sorry for the people of the USA because this sort of behaviour is just plain embarrassing. IS the US Ambassador a career diplomat or a Trump appointee? If he is an actual Diplomat I feel for him because he will be the poor sod responsible for cleaning up the mess, not least tendering apologies to the PM and the DRF. Mind you I think the PM and HM will respond in a sympathetic and diplomatic way.

[JR76]

Originally Posted by MARG

I really feel sorry for the people of the USA because this sort of behaviour is just plain embarrassing. IS the US Ambassador a career diplomat or a Trump appointee? If he is an actual Diplomat I feel for him because he will be the poor sod responsible for cleaning up the mess, not least tendering apologies to the PM and the DRF. Mind you I think the PM and HM will respond in a sympathetic and diplomatic way.

She is a former actress, chiropractor and business woman who worked her way up the Trump administration. Before anyone scoffs at her credentials let's not forget that it's not uncommon for US presidents to pay back supporters with a diplomatic post. For instance, President Clinton famously made Pamela Harriman (former daughter-in-law to Winston Churchill) ambassador to France while President Obama made Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg ambassador to Japan.

[Gawin]

Originally Posted by MARG

I really feel sorry for the people of the USA because this sort of behaviour is just plain embarrassing.

It's like waking up and finding yourself trapped in an episode of "The Simpsons."

[tommy100]

Who did in fairness predict a Trump presidency lol!

Its all a really sad situation but nice to see HM is using the opportunity to reinstate the public audience that was cancelled to make way for the visit. A much better use of time IMO.

[Moonmaiden23]

Originally Posted by Nico

Might be wrong but, in modern times, it's an unprecedented breach of diplomacy, protocol or i would say basic politeness from a US head of States to an alied nation.

Some wars started for less than that.

Challenging times we are living in ...

If there is one thing this Administration has demonstrated to America and the world, it is that concepts like civility, reason and diplomacy have been put on hold.

Chaos and embarrassment are the new "normal".

I don't know what else to say..except that this is an inexcusable insult to Denmark, the Danish Royal Family, and its' citizens.

[Frelinghighness]

Originally Posted by Roskilde

The State visit has now also been removed from the calender of DRF’s website:
Kongehuset | Kongehuset.dk

I think our Queen and our Crown Prince couple are quite pleased about that.

Originally Posted by Mbruno

Again, just to be fair, it was not considered obscene for Russia to sell Alaska to the US in 1867, or for Denmark to sell the Virgin Islands to the same United States in 1917. That shows how perceptions have changed over the last 150 years or so.

I am pretty sure that Denmark will remain closely aligned with the US as it depends on NATO for its defense , especially with a resurgent Russia nearby.

I am afraid you are wrong in your vain effort to find a precedent for this. Greenland is a semi autonomous part of Denmark. Or as their own Pm explained, “Greenland is not Danish. Greenland belongs to Greenland. I strongly hope this is not meant seriously”.
The most insulting part of his utterance, IMO, was that stating that the Danes were carrying Greenland at too great of expense for them, “it’s hurting Denmark very badly “.

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by MARG

I really feel sorry for the people of the USA because this sort of behaviour is just plain embarrassing.

Thank you. Many of us in the US are appalled by such a boorish president. Our parents taught us better manners. And we matured beyond a 2 year old's behavior.

[Countessmeout]

Originally Posted by Mbruno

Again, just to be fair, it was not considered obscene for Russia to sell Alaska to the US in 1867, or for Denmark to sell the Virgin Islands to the same United States in 1917. That shows how perceptions have changed over the last 150 years or so.

I am pretty sure that Denmark will remain closely aligned with the US as it depends on NATO for its defense , especially with a resurgent Russia nearby.

Well how many things have changed since 1867. Womens right to vote. Civil rights. Fortunately the world has progressed in 150 years. Only Trump seems to think you can still buy and sell countries. I would love to see his face if someone suggested he sell off part of the US. Maybe Queen Elizabeth suggest the Virginia islands should all be British. I am sure trump would happily sell them. Well then again maybe he would for the right price. Doubt people there would be happy.

Fortunately for Denmark the US is not the only country in NATO. But yes the alliance remains.

[Fijiro]

For the sake of civility, I just hope that the US Personnel informed the DRF before POTUS' twitter went out.

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by Fijiro

For the sake of civility, I just hope that the US Personnel informed the DRF before POTUS' twitter went out.

They may not have known Trump was going to send that tweet.

[Minister of Court]

Originally Posted by Fijiro

For the sake of civility, I just hope that the US Personnel informed the DRF before POTUS' twitter went out.

Don’t be absurd.

[Muhler]

Right, as predicted the comments and analysis have been pouring in.

Diplomatically this is unheard of, no less, among nations who are otherwise old friends.
According to the diplomatic protocol cancelling a state visit, for political reasons and so shortly before it was to take place, is beyond recalling the ambassador indefinitely. It is one step short of severing all diplomatic ties.
But the current US President does not act according to the established diplomatic protocol and that makes him unpredictable and as such the US policy unpredictable.
There are Danish politicians today, who would normally prefer crushing their toes with a sledgehammer, rather than not being supportive of USA, who have openly described this a "farce" and "an insult". Even the otherwise very pro-US (and pro-israel) foreign affairs spokesman for the Danish People's Party, Søren Espersen, has said that it would be better should President Trump never visit DK at all.

Asked, Lene Balleby from the DRF's press office has said: "It was a surprise" and otherwise refer to the PM's office.

The PM, Mette Frederiksen, went out an hour ago and said (also in English) that the cancellation is regrettable, but that DK is still open for discussions about the security situation in the Arctic. (Short of selling Greenland of course) And that the US-Danish relations will remain friendly.
- She has (deservedly) been praised for her subdued response. - It is not up to the PM to express annoyance and a feeling of insult, that is left to other top politicians, also very much from the otherwise very pro-US opposition.
There is a general agreement that it is by no means in Danish interests to sour the relationship even further. It will also be in Danish interests to lie low. - There is a concern that the US administration might come up with tariffs aimed at Danish goods, in retaliation for the refusal to sell Greenland. That would an act of trade-war against the whole of EU. If you impose trade sanctions on one EU country, you impose trade sanctions on the whole of EU.
So for Denmark this is about keeping calm.
- Anyway, it is very much the US diplomats who have a problem! In regards to the negotiations regarding military activity in and around Greenland, they have been kicked back to start.

The US ambassador was apparently in the dark about the cancellation. The Danish PM was informed in the middle of the night via the Danish embassy in Washington, that the visit would be cancelled, shortly before the President tweeted that fact.

But what now?

Should President Trump invite himself again, would he get invitation? (Because he will not get an invitation otherwise, that is clear.) - Perhaps. It is still in Danish interests to maintain as good a relationship with the sitting US President, no matter who it is. as possible. But it will almost certainly only be a "business-visit." - A state visit or even an official visit is pretty much out of the question.

Even hardcore advocates of strong ties with USA, are openly saying that the current US administration is, diplomatically speaking, so unpredictable and irrational that it would be dangerous to side completely with USA.
And that Europe should close ranks and increase their own security and military co-operation. That would be the final nail in the coffin for NATO.
DK has otherwise been very reluctant to join a European military alliance.
All that in view of President Trump remaining in office for another five years. (Personally there is absolutely no doubt in my mind, that should President Trump run for a second term, he will win. I have no doubts whatsoever.)