Denmark’s government has historically not been a great influencer of pressure on Washington. But days before President Trump takes office for a second time, the Danish embassy began shopping for lobbyists with ties to the new president, who has loudly announced his intention to try to take over the independent Danish territory of Greenland.
The Danes are not alone.
A number of countries that would be affected by Mr. Trump’s threatened takeover, tariffs, aid cuts or deportations were urgently seeking help on K Street to navigate his administration.
Panama, which is the pressure Against Mr. Trump’s threat to take back the Panama Canal, he signed a contract three days before his inauguration that could pay nearly $2.5 million over the next year to a team of lobbyists including prominent Trump ally David Orban of the BGR Group, according to the Justice Department. the pressure filings.
BGR Group, a powerhouse founded by establishment Republicans in the 1990s, also signed on $600,000 one-year contract In late November with the Somali Embassy, facing the prospect of what Mr. Trump’s administration might be Expanding the scope of military cooperation.
South Korea, which could be hurt by the tariffs, expanded its lobbying corps after the election to bring in former Trump campaign adviser Brian Lanza and his Mercury public affairs team, according to Compression files And a knowledgeable person involved.
The increase in foreign governments’ interest in lobbyists with ties to the new administration underscores the uncertainty with which longtime U.S. allies regard Mr. Trump. Management Brink with Colombia Tariffs and deportations of unauthorized immigrants over the weekend showed how quickly any tensions can escalate.
The desire to help navigate Mr. Trump’s approach to foreign policy comes at a time when his allies have increasingly turned their attention to influence-making in Washington, a shift from when he first took office after a campaign pledged toDrain the swamp“In 2017, there were a few lobbying firms established relationships with his new administration, allowing… A wave of newcomers are making their way to K Street.a downtown street that once housed the capital’s best lobbying firms.
However, the lobbyist’s shopping spree in the early days of Mr. Trump’s second administration has created a dilemma for professionals who want to stay on his good side and maintain their access while also getting results for their clients. Representing a country targeted by Mr. Trump would risk a link from a president who was Sensitive to perceptions of inflexibility Or the ghost of helpers Benefit from their affiliation With him.
The Danish embassy was turned away by Brian Ballard, a fund consortium for Mr. Trump, according to two people familiar with the country’s outreach who spoke on the condition of anonymity to disclose private discussions. Mr. Ballard’s company, which was based in Florida, launched the Washington operation at the beginning of Mr. Trump’s first term, and found itself in High demand since election night. The company declined to comment.
The Dane has also held talks with BGR Group, according to four people with knowledge of the discussions. One said the BGR group seemed reluctant to participate.
A BGR Group spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.
In a statement, the Danish embassy said it “has not hired a lobbying firm on this issue.” She declined to address whether she was seeking one.
Jesper Moller Sorensen, Denmark’s ambassador to the United States, also declined in an interview to discuss K Street outreach, but said that “Denmark looks forward to having a very constructive relationship with the Trump administration.”
Denmark’s efforts to enlist Washington’s hand are well-connected amid intense concern in Denmark and Greenland about Mr. Trump’s stated intention to seize control of the island. He hinted at the possibility Using military force To facilitate the purchase of Greenland, the strategically important Arctic island that is the autonomous region of Denmark.
Danish and Green politicians have flatly rejected the prospect of a sale, sometimes in confrontational terms. The standoff is unlike anything the Danes have experienced in their recent relationship with the United States, one of Denmark’s largest trading partners and a key ally.
It’s not clear the last time the Danes retained their traditional lobby in Washington. The State Department paid American consultants during the Biden administration and Mr. Trump’s first term to assist with public relations related to American tourism, according to records submitted to the Justice Department under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Before that, the embassy had last paid for such assistance in 2016, when it retained FleishmanHillard. For two months To help promote a business mission.
The types of government-to-government interactions that the Danes and Greenlanders have relied on in Washington do not appear to be having the desired effect in the current situation.
Five days before Mr. Trump took office, he had a A controversial 45-minute phone call With Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark. She made several suggestions for greater cooperation on military and economic issues, but insisted that Greenland, which already hosts an important US base, was not for sale.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Kot Ayde of Greenland told reporters that his government was trying to set up a meeting with Mr. Trump to discuss their opposition to the sale.
“You can’t get around the fact that if they want to talk about Greenland, they have to talk to Greenland,” Mr. Ed said.
Mr. Trump’s stance has led to a crisis in the political class, said Rufus Gifford, a major Democrat who was the US ambassador to Denmark under President Barack Obama and remains friendly with the Danish king and other leaders there.
“They are shocked, which quickly turns into anger,” he said. “A Danish Prime Minister losing Greenland to another country will be a laughing stock for the rest of time.”
But they play the ones they have, and see what happens, Mr. Gifford added of the limited cards. “
The Panamanian government’s predicament is also difficult. It was the country Unsettled by Mr. Trump’s threats To restore the canal, which is important for Panama’s economy. Experts view the threat as a potential bargaining tactic to win more favorable treatment for U.S. ships using the passage or to extract additional commitments about restricting the flow of migrants through the country on their way toward the U.S. border.
Panama signed a contract this month to pay BGR Over $205,000 per month To represent her in Washington for a year. As part of this representation, BGR agreed to pay Manny Ortiz, a lobbyist with ties to Democrats and Latin America, $100,000 a month. According to a contract Submitted to the Ministry of Justice.
The fees are larger than those in a contract that Panama agreed to pay BGR $60,000 per month For about a year during the Biden administration.
The Trump administration’s commitment to acquiring the canal was underscored in Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s decision to visit the country during his first foreign trip, later this week.
Elizabeth Bumiller and Jeffrey Gittleman Contributed reports.
