Trump Appoints Special Envoy to Greenland, Provoking Diplomatic Row with Denmark.
Former President Donald Trump has reignited tensions with Denmark after appointing Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland, the strategically located Arctic island he has previously expressed interest in annexing.
Speaking to the BBC, Trump argued the United States needed Greenland for “national protection,” adding: “We have to have it.” He said Landry would “lead the charge” in representing US interests on the semi-autonomous territory, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
The move drew immediate criticism from Copenhagen. Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen described the appointment as “deeply upsetting,” warning Washington to respect Danish sovereignty. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen echoed this stance, emphasizing that the island “must decide our own future” and that “territorial integrity must be respected.”
Landry, meanwhile, confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that he would serve in a “volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US.” He is a military veteran, former US Congressman, and Louisiana attorney general, now serving as governor, and said his new role would not interfere with his gubernatorial duties.
Trump’s renewed focus on Greenland underscores his longstanding interest in the island, which he has cited for its strategic location and mineral wealth. During his first presidential term, Trump attempted to purchase Greenland—a proposal rejected by both Denmark and Greenland in 2019, with officials stating, “Greenland is not for sale.”
The president suggested that Greenland’s value lies in national security rather than resources, citing potential threats from Chinese and Russian vessels in nearby waters. “We need Greenland for national security, not minerals,” he said.
The appointment has drawn international attention. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, while observers noted the informal nature of Trump’s envoy designation, which does not require host-country approval.
Greenland, with a population of roughly 57,000, has had extensive self-government since 1979. While defense and foreign policy remain under Danish authority, most Greenlanders oppose joining the United States, favoring eventual independence from Denmark.
The dispute comes amid growing Arctic competition, with melting ice opening new shipping routes and access to mineral resources. The island is strategically located between North America and Europe, making it central to US and NATO security interests. The US has maintained a military presence in Greenland since World War II and reopened a consulate in Nuuk in 2020.
Trump’s aggressive posture toward Greenland mirrors his broader ambitions in the Western Hemisphere, similar to his actions toward Venezuela, indicating his continued focus on expanding US influence and control over key territories.
