US President Donald Trump is about to embark on a European tour soon, and had planned to make a state visit to Denmark on September 2-3. This weekend, the White House confirmed that it wanted to buy off Greenland - something that Denmark's prime minister, Mette Frederiksens, said was absurd.
Shortly thereafter, Trump announced via Twitter that the state visit was postponed for an indefinite future. Sweden's Foreign Minister Margot Wallström (S) believes that Denmark's response may be a lesson for Trump.
- I think it's important for him to see that everything is not for sale. I think this can be a homework, she says in the Morning Studio and thinks it has been interesting to follow.
"Completely bizarre"Carl Bildt, who participated in the program via link, says that the event is "completely bizarre" and that you have to "dig deep into the history books to find a similar event".
- You should interpret it as not really knowing what state visits are about. It is a symbolic mark of the good relationship between two nations. The United States and Denmark have been allies for a very long time. Denmark has been a loyal ally and has helped the United States in both the Iraq war and Afghanistan, says Bildt.
He believes it can have negative political and diplomatic consequences.
Diplomatic consequences- It certainly has the effect that countries are skeptical about planning a state visit with Donald Trump because suddenly he comes with bizarre demands - if he doesn't get them through for prestige reasons - he can cancel the visit. State visits are a big thing to arrange, with high costs and a great commitment.
It sounds like you're upset?
- I do not know if I am upset or road, whether to laugh or cry. This is just not the case, he says.