Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has signed a "collaboration agreement" with Denmark, solidifying a partnership between the two nations in areas such as science, technology, and trade.
The agreement was unveiled during a conference at the Massachusetts State House, where Healey welcomed a Danish delegation led by Ambassador to the United States Jesper Møller Sørensen. The event aimed to highlight innovation and cooperation but unfolded against the backdrop of tensions between the US and Denmark over President Donald Trump's recent calls for American ownership of Greenland.
Trump had first proposed the idea in 2019, reviving it earlier this year with a claim that the US "needs" Greenland for Arctic security. Many European nations have opposed the US taking control of the Danish territory, leading to Trump imposing a 10% import tax on goods from eight nations, sparking widespread criticism.
Neither Healey nor Sørensen directly addressed Trump's comments during the conference, instead focusing on the economic importance of Denmark to Massachusetts. The state accounts for roughly $250 million in annual trade with the country, according to Healey.
"This is a partnership — Massachusetts and Denmark — driven by innovation, and it's rooted in our history," she said, highlighting Massachusetts' role as a global leader in life sciences, clean energy, technology, and advanced manufacturing. "You could say that Massachusetts is to the United States what Denmark is to Europe: a knowledge-driven leader that values our people and does things the right way."
The agreement marks a significant step forward in strengthening ties between the two nations. Sørensen described the partnership as part of a broader, long-standing relationship between the US and Denmark, with 225 years of uninterrupted diplomatic ties.
As part of this collaboration, Massachusetts and Denmark are committed to exchanging aid, culture, technology, and trade. The Danish delegation is also significant investors in the US, ranking 16th among foreign investors nationwide.
Looking ahead, Sørensen emphasized that expanding ties between the two nations is crucial for future success. "We want to expand that even further, and that's why we find opportunities like we have with Boston, with Massachusetts so important for us," he said.
The agreement was unveiled during a conference at the Massachusetts State House, where Healey welcomed a Danish delegation led by Ambassador to the United States Jesper Møller Sørensen. The event aimed to highlight innovation and cooperation but unfolded against the backdrop of tensions between the US and Denmark over President Donald Trump's recent calls for American ownership of Greenland.
Trump had first proposed the idea in 2019, reviving it earlier this year with a claim that the US "needs" Greenland for Arctic security. Many European nations have opposed the US taking control of the Danish territory, leading to Trump imposing a 10% import tax on goods from eight nations, sparking widespread criticism.
Neither Healey nor Sørensen directly addressed Trump's comments during the conference, instead focusing on the economic importance of Denmark to Massachusetts. The state accounts for roughly $250 million in annual trade with the country, according to Healey.
"This is a partnership — Massachusetts and Denmark — driven by innovation, and it's rooted in our history," she said, highlighting Massachusetts' role as a global leader in life sciences, clean energy, technology, and advanced manufacturing. "You could say that Massachusetts is to the United States what Denmark is to Europe: a knowledge-driven leader that values our people and does things the right way."
The agreement marks a significant step forward in strengthening ties between the two nations. Sørensen described the partnership as part of a broader, long-standing relationship between the US and Denmark, with 225 years of uninterrupted diplomatic ties.
As part of this collaboration, Massachusetts and Denmark are committed to exchanging aid, culture, technology, and trade. The Danish delegation is also significant investors in the US, ranking 16th among foreign investors nationwide.
Looking ahead, Sørensen emphasized that expanding ties between the two nations is crucial for future success. "We want to expand that even further, and that's why we find opportunities like we have with Boston, with Massachusetts so important for us," he said.
I'm all about collaboration & innovation, you know? 
So, it's dope to see Massachusetts & Denmark teaming up on science, tech, trade... the whole shebang! 
It's like, even when there are some hiccups (like with Trump's Greenland idea 
), countries can still find common ground. I'm all about looking forward, though - this partnership is a great way to drive growth & progress in both states. Plus, it's awesome that the Danish delegation is a big player in US investments 
. Massachusetts is already killing it in life sciences & clean energy, so now they've got some European flair too! 
️ and I'm still trying to process all the food options 
anyway, this partnership between Mass and Denmark sounds super cool! I mean, who wouldn't want to partner with a country that's like a global leader in tech and clean energy? 
. And what about Greenland? I'm pretty sure Denmark is just going through the motions with this whole "American ownership" thing, and Massachusetts is just trying to reap some economic benefits from their partnership 
. It all feels a bit fishy to me 
But I gotta wonder what's the deal with Trump's comments about Greenland 
It's great that they're exchanging aid culture tech trade and it'll be awesome to see more collaborations in the future 
over this one! Like, can you even believe the US is making a big deal about some random land in Greenland? Newsflash, guys: it's not like Denmark or anyone else has anything to do with you taking control of your own land 
This partnership thingy sounds super cool and all, but it feels like a big ol' Band-Aid on a much deeper issue... and honestly, I just don't know if this whole Greenland thing will ever be resolved 
.
They're investing a ton in Boston and Massachusetts is their biggest trade partner there 
It's like, cool to see Denmark being part of this innovation thing with the US... 
. And that's what happens when you focus on collaboration instead of competition 
.
i'm not sure about this collaboration, feels like danish ppl are being pulled in two directions: helping the US or standing up for greenland's sovereignty 
anyway, i think its dope that healey is keeping it real and focusing on the positives between their countries, no need to bring up trump's drama 
225 years of diplomatic ties? that's some serious history 
and $250 million in trade? that's a lot of cash 
! The fact that they're talking about innovation and trade 
, especially considering all the tension between US and Denmark over Greenland 
. It's great to see a governor putting aside politics for the sake of economic growth 
- MA is like the hub of innovation 
.
? I mean, think about it - Denmark's got some awesome life sciences and clean energy tech. Massachusetts could be like... Boston is my jam 
! We're talking $250 million a year in trade, for real! That's like, a whole lot of potential partnerships 
, I'm sure Healey and Sørensen are just happy to be having some friendly conversation 
over a cuppa 
... all while Denmark gets its American dollars