Donald Trump has sparked a renewed disagreement with Denmark after appointing a special envoy to Greenland, the Arctic island he has expressed interest in annexing.
On Sunday, Trump announced that Jeff Landry, the Republican governor of Louisiana, would become the U.S's special envoy to Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Trump stated on social media that Landry understands how essential Greenland is to our national security and aimed to advance U.S. interests in the region.
Greenland's Prime Minister has emphasized the island's right to decide our own future, asserting that their territorial integrity must be respected. This announcement has angered officials in Copenhagen, prompting Denmark to seek clarification from the U.S. ambassador.
Governor Landry described the envoy position as an honor, framing it as an opportunity to integrate Greenland into the United States while asserting that it would not conflict with his duties in Louisiana.
Denmark's Foreign Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, labeled the appointment as deeply upsetting and cautioned Washington to uphold Danish sovereignty.
Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen reiterated that Greenland's future should be determined by its people and that any diplomatic cooperation should be based on mutual respect.
Since returning to office, Trump has renewed his long-standing interest in Greenland, highlighting its strategic location and wealth of resources. His comments indicating a willingness to use force to gain control have alarmed Denmark, a NATO ally that shares close ties with the U.S.
Greenland, which has had substantial self-governance since 1979, has seen most Greenlanders favor independence from Denmark, although polls suggest strong opposition to becoming part of the United States. This dispute arises amid increasing competition in the Arctic, where climate change is opening new shipping routes and revealing valuable minerals. Greenland's geographical position is key for both U.S. and NATO security operations, especially regarding missile trajectories between Russia and the U.S.
