Donald Trump, United States president, has named Jeff Landry, Louisiana governor, as his special envoy to Greenland, reviving a long-running dispute over Washington’s interest in the vast Arctic island and drawing sharp criticism from Denmark and Greenland’s leaders.
The appointment, announced by Trump on Sunday, comes as he continues to argue that Greenland should become part of the United States because of its strategic location and rich mineral resources. Greenland is a territory of Denmark, but it governs most of its own affairs.
Read also: Trump insist on force to acquire Canada, Panama, Greenland
“You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security,” Mette Frederiksen, Danish prime minister, and Jens Frederik Nielsen, Greenland prime minister, said in a joint statement. “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the U.S. shall not take over Greenland.”
Trump defended the decision in a post on Truth Social, saying Landry understood the island’s importance. “Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country’s interests for the safety, security, and survival of our allies, and indeed, the world,” he wrote.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Read also: Greenland for Taiwan? The wild signal America might be sending China
Landry, who became Louisiana’s governor in January 2024, openly supports Trump’s position. In a post on X, he thanked the president and described the role as voluntary. He said it would not affect his duties as governor.
Greenland, which has a population of about 57,000, was once a Danish colony and gained expanded self-rule in 2009. It has the right to declare independence, but remains economically dependent on fishing and financial support from Denmark.
Its location between Europe and North America makes it a key part of the United States missile defence network. Interest has also grown because of its mineral resources, as Washington looks to reduce dependence on supplies from China.
Read also: Donald Trump scraps Denmark visit after interest in buying Greenland is rebuffed
Nielsen sought to play down the latest announcement, writing on Facebook that it would not alter Greenland’s position. “This may sound big, but it does not change anything for us. We decide our own future,” he said.
Diplomatic tensions rose further on Monday when Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Danish foreign minister, said he would summon Kenneth Howery, United States ambassador, for talks, despite the envoy’s recent pledge of mutual respect during a visit to Greenland.
The latest move underlines how Greenland remains a sensitive flashpoint between Washington, Copenhagen and Nuuk, as geopolitical competition in the Arctic continues to intensify, according to Reuters.
