懦弱的丹麥 Denmark’s "Weak-Knee" Syndrome: A Lesson from History HoonTing

Denmark’s "Weak-Knee" Syndrome: A Lesson from History by HoonTing

At a time when the United States, Japan, and the European Union have reaffirmed that UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 does not determine Taiwan's status—emphasizing that Taiwan is not a province of China—Denmark, an EU member state, has inexplicably buckled. Following the lead of the South Korean government in February, Denmark has begun labeling Taiwan as "CHINA (TAIWAN)." There is little doubt that these changes are the result of relentless pressure from Beijing.

When it comes to succumbing to diplomatic pressure, few nations in modern history have shown as much fragility as Denmark.

"Denmark is a synonym for cowardice." This stinging line appears several times in the film The Good Traitor (2020). It was not a mere invention of a screenwriter; rather, it reflected Winston Churchill’s documented disdain during private meetings with Henrik Kauffman, the Danish Ambassador to the U.S., and President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Kauffman himself invoked this sense of national shame as a rallying cry when raising funds from the Danish diaspora for "Free Denmark," his government-in-exile.

The historical roots of this reputation date back to April 9, 1940, when Denmark surrendered to Nazi Germany with almost no resistance. Unlike other monarchs who fled to lead resistance efforts, the Danish King remained and cooperated with the Nazi occupiers. It was this "resistance-free surrender" that turned the nation’s name into a byproduct for weakness.

However, a faction led by Ambassador Kauffman recognized that the home government had become a puppet of the Nazis. Predicting an eventual Allied victory, Kauffman feared Denmark would be relegated to the status of a defeated nation. He chose to defy Copenhagen, declaring his independence and establishing "Free Denmark." To secure American recognition and funding, he offered Greenland—then a Danish colony—as collateral for Allied military bases, effectively buying Denmark a seat among the Allies. After the war, the King pardoned Kauffman for "treason," though many viewed this pardon as the King’s way of seeking redemption for his own wartime choices.

Despite Kauffman’s heroic efforts to save the nation’s honor, a certain "weak-knee syndrome" seems to persist in Danish foreign policy today. When Donald Trump made waves last year by suggesting the U.S. purchase Greenland, Denmark protested, yet it remains hesitant to confront the darker chapters of its WWII history or its international treaty commitments.

In light of Copenhagen’s recent decision to appease Beijing by re-labeling Taiwan, perhaps Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs should gently remind the Danish authorities of the lessons of their own modern history. Turning a blind eye to coercion is a habit Denmark should have outgrown long ago.

有關格陵蘭　電影：忠誠的叛國者（The Good Traitor）
20090612〈格陵蘭自治法〉／Taimocracy翻譯