Diplomacy is never easy.
On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City, the triumphant Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emerged on September 22 with a major diplomatic victory: She secured a historic trilateral agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen over the future of Greenland.
It is not a secret that Trump’s unconventional approach towards diplomacy had frustrated many European leaders – as well as the usual suspects whose dogmatic views on international law – turned the Greenland challenge into a media spectacle. But thanks, in large part, to extraordinary leadership by the never wavering Frederiksen, the parties reached an historic agreement that is – you guessed it – based on international law, which strengthens the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and U.S. security in particular.
Fredriksen, a veteran of the center-left Social Democratic Party, has been a member of Parliament, Folketinget, since 2001 and Prime Minister since 2019. Domestically, Fredriksen is presiding over a prosperous – and well managed – nation with economic growth at 3.7 percent (2024). Denmark – under Fredriksen – has also one of Europe’s most restrictive immigration policies.
When it comes to foreign policy, Fredriksen has distinguished herself as one of Europe’s staunchest supporter of Ukraine. She has also remained a steadfast and consistent friend of Israel ever since the October 7, 2023, massacre. The Prime Minister has never wavered on Israel – or Ukraine – when others have.
While other European leaders such as President Emmanuel Macron of France and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are struggling domestically with sluggish economic growth, neither one of them have succeeded on the international stage.
Other weak and ineffective leaders include the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, who seems also ‘lost in the shuffle’ without any significant influence. Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, has had some success after successfully negotiating a EU-U.S.-trade deal with Trump in July 2024.
Fredriksen, au contraire, is emerging as Europe’s strongest and most capable leader.
Through a combination of tenacity, and courage, Fredriksen has demonstrated that success in diplomacy is possible when good will is exhibited by all.
All images are credited to the Prime Minister of Denmark’s Office.
Fredriksen, a veteran of the center-left Social Democratic Party, has been a member of Parliament, Folketinget, since 2001 and Prime Minister since 2019
