Donald Trump has appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland, prompting Denmark to summon the US ambassador over what Danish officials call a "totally unacceptable" move toward the mineral-rich Arctic island. The appointment, announced Monday on Truth Social, marks a formal escalation of Trump's campaign to bring Greenland under US control.
Trump said: "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."
Landry, who took office as Louisiana governor in January 2024, responded on X that it was "an honor to serve ... in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S. This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!"
Denmark's reaction
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said in an interview with Denmark's TV2: "I am deeply angered by the appointment and the statement, which I find totally unacceptable." He announced the foreign ministry would summon the US ambassador in coming days "to get an explanation."
In an emailed statement, Rasmussen insisted: "However, we insist that everyone – including the US – must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark."
Greenland's response
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen posted on Facebook: "We have woken up again to a new announcement from the U.S. president. This may sound big, but it does not change anything for us. We decide our own future."
Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, told Reuters that while appointing an envoy isn't problematic itself, "the problem is that he's been given the task of taking over Greenland or making Greenland part of the United States, and there's no desire for that in Greenland." She said "there is a desire to respect the future that a majority in Greenland wants, namely to remain their own country and develop their independence over time."
Strategic significance
Greenland is a largely self-governing Danish territory with around 57,000 inhabitants. The island has held the right to declare independence from Denmark since 2009, though its economy relies heavily on fishing and subsidies from Copenhagen.
The Arctic island sits along the shortest route between Europe and North America and is vital for US ballistic missile defense systems. Its location places it on the shortest missile route between Russia and the United States. Rising US, Chinese, and Russian interest in the Arctic has intensified as climate change opens new sea lanes.
Denmark summoned the US chargé d'affaires in August following reports that showed three US officials close to Trump in Greenland's capital Nuuk attempting to identify people supporting or opposing closer ties with Washington. Over the past year, Denmark has strengthened Greenland's defense to address US criticisms about inadequate security.
A January opinion poll indicated the vast majority of Greenland's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark but do not wish to become part of the United States. Both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly stated that Greenland is not for sale.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
