Senator Coons to lead bipartisan, bicameral congressional delegation to Copenhagen

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) will lead a bipartisan, bicameral congressional delegation to Copenhagen, Denmark this week to highlight more than 200 years of friendship between the United States and the Kingdom of Denmark, including enduring national security ties and decades of economic cooperation. The delegation will be in Copenhagen Friday, January 16, and Saturday, January 17. Some members of the delegation will continue on to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

In Copenhagen, the delegation is expected to meet with Danish and Greenlandic government and business leaders. The trip will highlight bipartisan support for our allies in the Kingdom of Denmark and discuss how to deepen this partnership in line with our shared principles of sovereignty and self-determination, and in the face of growing challenges around the world, especially bolstering Arctic security and promoting stronger trade relations between the two countries.

Senator Coons will be joined on the trip by U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and U.S. Representatives Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), Madeleine Dean (D-Penn.), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), and Sarah McBride (D-Del.). Additional members are expected to join the delegation as well.

"I'm proud to lead this congressional delegation to Copenhagen to demonstrate strong bipartisan and bicameral support in Congress for our Danish NATO ally," said Senator Coons. "Denmark has always been a strong diplomatic, economic, and security partner who sacrificed more lives than any other country relative to its population when the United States invoked Article 5 following the September 11 attacks. At a time of increasing international instability, we need to draw closer to our allies, not drive them away, and this delegation will send a clear message that Congress is committed to NATO and our network of alliances."

"Denmark is a trusted NATO ally and an essential partner to the United States on security, trade, and shared democratic values," said Senator Tillis. "As co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, I believe it is critical that Congress stands united in supporting our allies and respecting the sovereignty of Denmark and Greenland, especially given Denmark's early and steadfast support for the U.S. after the attacks of September 11, 2001. This delegation reflects a bipartisan commitment to strengthening security, expanding economic cooperation, and reaffirming the enduring alliance between the United States and Denmark."

"Now more than ever, the U.S.-Denmark partnership and the NATO alliance more broadly are foundational to America's national security amid rising threats to the transatlantic alliance," said Senator Shaheen. "I'm proud to join this delegation to reiterate our nation's commitment to Denmark, Greenland and NATO. Amid emerging threats in both the Arctic and Indo-Pacific, it is essential that the United States continues to confront the challenges of the 21st century in strong partnership with Denmark and our NATO allies."

"President Trump's continued threats toward Greenland are unnecessary and would only weaken our NATO alliance," said Senator Durbin. "Denmark is a strong partner of the United States and this bipartisan CODEL reiterates that the United States Congress stands firm in our partnership, despite the president's advances."

"This bipartisan delegation will reinforce the Kingdom of Denmark's importance as an ally who has stood by us during our hours of greatest need, as well as the commitment of the United States Congress to the NATO alliance as a whole," said Representative Meeks. "Denmark and Greenland have been clear: Greenland and its people are not for sale. Our collective security must be achieved through diplomacy and cooperation, not by threats and coercion. I look forward to meeting with officials in Copenhagen to strengthen our partnership and make clear that Congress' commitment to Denmark and NATO is ironclad."

"NATO isn't obsolete or a waste of money; it's a vital investment in keeping the American people safe," said Representative Jacobs. "With partner nations like Denmark, we help keep each other safe by pooling information and capabilities - magnifying our power and making us stronger together than on our own. That's why I'm proud to join this bipartisan and bicameral delegation to send a clear message that Congress is unwavering in its commitment to our NATO partners and allies and we oppose President Trump's aggressive efforts to acquire Greenland, whether by force or not."

"I'm grateful to Senator Coons for his leadership in bringing together a bipartisan, bicameral delegation to reaffirm our support in Congress for our NATO ally, Denmark," said Representative McBride. "Delaware understands that our security and prosperity depend on strong partnerships rooted in mutual respect, sovereignty, and self-determination. At a time of growing global instability, this trip could not be more poignant."