Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen and heads of other Danish companies met with Danish PM Mette Frederiksen on Thursday (16 January) to discuss preparations for a possible trade conflict with the US over Greenland. Reuters reported.
Prime minister Frederiksen called the country’s business leaders after speaking Wednesday (15 January) with US President-elect Donald Trump, who last week would not rule out using military force to seize control of the strategically important Greenland.
According to Trump, the semi-autonomous region of Denmark has threatened to impose tariffs on Danish products if it resists an offer to buy the vast Arctic island.
Denmark’s prime minister said Trump did not withdraw his threat of economic coercion during the 45-minute phone call, instead telling him it was about the future of Greenland and offering to do more to strengthen security in the Arctic.
Frederiksen told reporters that he does not want to have any conflict with the Americans in the trade area but will certainly work with companies, with business organizations, and with European colleagues.
Discussion
According to Reuters, Fredriksen said he mentioned during the phone call with Trump that Danish companies contribute to growth and jobs in the United States. And he added that the European Union and the United States have a common interest in increasing trade.
Lars Freuergaard Jorgensen, CEO of the company Novo Nordisk, maker of pharmaceutical products and especially diabetes drugs, will attend the meeting, the company said on Thursday.
According to Reuters, Danish pharmaceutical company Novo competes with US pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly in the fast-growing weight-loss drug market. In the first nine months of last year, Novo’s United States sales totaled 115 billion Danish crowns ($15.86 billion).
Other participants in the meeting include CEOs of famous jewelry manufacturer Pandora, toy manufacturing company Lego, brewing company Carlsberg, wind turbine company Vestas, and energy company Orsted.
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