Denmark’s Defence Intelligence Service has for the first time identified the United States as a potential security concern in its annual threats assessment, signalling a notable shift in Copenhagen’s strategic outlook amid rising global tensions, according to international media reports.
The 2025 intelligence outlook, compiled by the Danish Defence Intelligence Service (DDIS), warns that the United States is increasingly leveraging economic and technological power to “enforce its will,” and the possibility of using military force — even against allies — can no longer be ruled out. “The United States 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,” the report states.
The assessment, published on Wednesday, comes against the backdrop of strained transatlantic relations and intensifying competition among global powers, particularly in the Arctic, where Denmark, the United States, Russia and China are all vying for influence. Analysts say the issue has been compounded by U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory with vast natural resources and geostrategic importance.
“The strategic importance of the Arctic is rising as the conflict between Russia and the West intensifies,” the report notes, highlighting how Washington’s increasing focus on the region could accelerate shifting power dynamics.
The document does not single out the United States as Denmark’s greatest threat; China and Russia continue to be viewed as major strategic challenges, particularly through cyber activities, influence operations and military pressure. However, the inclusion of the U.S. in the threat landscape reflects growing European unease about Washington’s role as a security guarantor.
The intelligence service also underscores concerns that uncertainty over the U.S. commitment to European security could embolden adversaries and reshape NATO’s collective defence posture. “Great powers increasingly prioritise their own interests and use force to achieve their goals,” the report says, urging closer attention to evolving geopolitical trends.
While the United States remains formally a key NATO ally, Denmark’s reassessment appears to reflect a broader recalibration of national security priorities at a time when global alliances are under pressure and rival powers are expanding their influence.
The U.S. embassy in Copenhagen has been contacted for comment but had not immediately responded to requests from international media. Additional diplomatic responses are anticipated as the report’s implications are digested by allies in Brussels and beyond.
