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In a move inspired by fictional watches, Denmark's foreign affairs department has initiated a night watch team—far from to fend off fantasy threats, but to track Donald Trump while Copenhagen is asleep.

The night watch begins at 5 p.m. local time daily and ends with a summary produced at 7am, which is then circulated throughout government departments and relevant offices detailing what was said and developments that occurred.

This position is understood to have been introduced following the bilateral row involving Denmark and the US over Greenland this spring, when the American leader suggested taking control of the strategic territory.

Analysts point out that this measure is one of several instances of how Danish diplomacy and its civil service have had to adapt to the new reality of the second Trump administration.

An insider close to the foreign office remarked, “It is fair to say that the situation in Greenland and the time difference separating Copenhagen and the US was quite an important reason introducing this system during the earlier months.”

Rather than all staff having to immediately reach for their devices to stay informed on updates from the United States, the ministry said it had undertaken a coordinated approach to stay updated on the president's activities.

Jacob Kaarsbo, a former chief analyst at the defense intelligence service, commented that this development showed, “as long understood,” that the notion of the United States as Denmark’s largest and most important ally was dead. “Alliances are built on common values and a mutual view of threats,” he added. “Trump shares neither of those with Denmark and I would argue he lacks it with the majority of Europe.”