The country that was Eurosceptic and changed after Trump's attack. “Now, more than ever, Europe must remain united.”

Denmark takes over the Presidency of the European Union, at a time when the population's confidence in the community block has reached the highest level of the last two decades. It is a change that can be attributed, at least partially, to US President Donald Trump, writes CNN, in an analysis.

A poll, published in March by Danish daily Berlingske, shows that 41% of Danish now see the United States as a threat. And 92% of them say they “agree” or “largely agree” that the country should rely more on the European Union for its Security.

Given the recent tensions between Washington and Copenhagen, these polls do not seem very surprising, writes CNN.

The publication recalls that, since returning to the White House, Donald Trump has frequently spoken about Greenland, an autonomous territory that is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, saying that he would like the US to hold it.

Tensions have become much more intense than in the first term of the Republican. There were also stinges, CNN recalls. In 2019, he accused the Danish premiere, Mette Frederiksen, of making a “naughty” and “absurd” statement in discussions about Greenland. Not as yet.

“Triple shock”

In the discussion with CNN, Lykke Fris, an important Danish analyst and former minister, says that the Nordic country had “a triple shock”. It refers to the war in Ukraine, Brexit and Trump's desire to annex Greenland “We have Denmark,” she says.

A similar message also has Marie Bjerre, the Danish Minister for European Affairs. She says that Trump's second term has changed the perspective of nearly 6 million Danish on the United States and the European Union.

“Things have changed dramatically in Danmca and our attitude towards Europe,” she said, without calling Trump directly.

Instead, he spoke about a disappointment of the country towards the US.

“We cannot trust them”

Denmark still wants a strong relationship with the US, Bjerre points out, “but in a situation where the United States is getting more and more … threatens us with taxes and criticizes Europe, our freedom of expression and other things, of course, in this situation, we must become stronger on our own.”

“The world order, as we know it from the Second World War, changes and we have to adapt to the new geopolitical situation in which we are,” Bjerre continues.

She remembered, “with a degree of frustration, if not anger,” writes CNN, the historical links between Denmark and the US and how they have changed.

“We have always supported the US. We have entered the war with our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan … The fact that we, as a country, are criticized because we are not a good ally, we change our opinion, of course,” said Bjerre. 43 Danish soldiers died in the Afghanistan war, CNN recalls.

“We used to be a very, very transatlantic country … There is now the feeling that we can simply not trust it,” says Fris. “He” refers to the US President Donald Trump.

“A huge change”

The opinions of the Danes have changed dramatically, and the moment coincides with the one in which the country takes over the rotary presidency of the Council of the European Union, stresses the TV station.

From a historical point of view, the Scandinavian country had a Eurospectic attitude, says Fris. She says that the Danes did not feel with Europeans, but saw the relationship with Brussels as a “pragmatic cooperation”.

People were afraid that the EU mixes in their lives, having, in particular, fears about the labor market, which is relatively regulated. In addition, recalls CNN, Denmark has several different positions than those of the Community bloc – including a lack of desire to adhere to the single currency.

“We do things differently from other European nations,” said Bjerre, Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Danish analyst Lykke Friis details: politicians and citizens feared that the EU “will become too strong and too strong”, which will mean a greater impact on their lives. Now, however, “fear is completely opposite,” says Fris.

Now, the Danes believe that the community block is “too weak” to cope with Putin to the east and Trump to the west, he said.

The analyst also reminds of the “huge” tone change of Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who used to be “very skeptical of the EU.”

“We have to build an even stronger Europe.”

In June, Frederiksen announced that Denmark is leaving the so-called “Frugal Four”, an informal group of EU countries that have put pressure on maintaining common expenses. He said then that “the most important thing is the re -armament of Europe”.

“Because if Europe is not able to protect us and defend us, then everything will end,” Frederiksen said.

And when the country took over the Presidency of the European Union, on July 1, Frederiksen strengthened its position: “Now, more than ever, Europe must remain united. We must build an even stronger Europe, a safer Europe, in which we are able to protect our democracies.”

Trust in the EU, from 46% to 74%

The change of attitude of the Danes can also be seen in polls. In 2005, only 46% of the Danes said they were trusting the EU. The last survey, conducted in the spring, shows that the percentage increased to 74%.

More accentuated growths are seen during Trump's first term, after Russia's large-scale invasion in Ukraine, and at the beginning of Trump's second term.

“The fact that a war took place in our back yard has created a kind of completely new atmosphere in the Security of Denmark. People are worried, they are preparing now because they are scared of what could happen to our security,” said Fris.

And Bjeree also stated that, as long as he owns the EU presidency, Copenhagen will have a priority “a stronger Europe”, emphasizing the Security.