Bilateral relations backlash feared after US president postpones visit to Denmark

COPENHAGEN - Danish political pundits fear serious repercussions for the Danish-US relationship in the future after US President Donald Trump announced postponing his visit to Denmark in a Tweet Tuesday night.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksens has earlier clearly refused to discuss a possible sale of Greenland to the United States.

"Greenland is not for sale," said the prime minister," Greenland is not Danish. Greenland is Greenlandic. I persistently hope that it is not something that is seriously meant."

In a follow-up post on the tweet, Trump acknowledged the Danish prime minister's "direct" rejection of his offer.

"....The Prime Minister was able to save a great deal of expense and effort for both the United States and Denmark by being so direct. I thank her for that and look forward to rescheduling sometime in the future!"

Trump's cancellation comes as a surprise to Lene Balleby, head of communications at the Danish Royal House which had "no comment" to make about the postponement.

"The situation may seem unrealistic, but no matter how you turn and turn it, it is a problem for any sitting Danish government to get so skewed in the relationship with the country's most important allies," said Mirco Reimer-Elster, Denmark's TV 2 US analyst.

Danish political pundits also fear the refusal to discuss the sale of Greenland with Trump might have serious repercussions for the Danish-US relationship in the future.

"It's not just about money. It is also about honor. If Trump succeeded in buying Greenland, he will then be included in the history books. So Greenland means something to him," says Svenning Dalgaard speaking to TV2.

"So Mr. Trump you have now decided to postpone your visit to Denmark. Why not just cancel? We are so busy with other things," tweeted Soeren Espersen, foreign ministry spokesperson of the right-wing Danish People's Party, in response to the US president.

Trump was originally scheduled to visit Denmark from September 2 to 3.