Donald Trump has sparked renewed disagreement with Denmark after appointing a special envoy to Greenland, the Arctic island he said he would like to annex.
Trump announced on Sunday that Jeff Landry, the Republican governor of Louisiana, would become the US special envoy to Greenland, a semi-autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Governor Landry said in a post on
Greenland’s prime minister said the island must “decide our own future” and that its “territorial integrity must be respected.”
The move infuriated Copenhagen, which will call the US ambassador for “an explanation.”
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen called the appointment “deeply disturbing” and warned Washington to respect Danish sovereignty.
He told Danish broadcaster TV2: “As long as we have a kingdom consisting of Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, we cannot accept actions that undermine our territorial integrity.”
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the territory was willing to cooperate with the United States and other countries, but only on the basis of mutual respect.
He said: “The appointment of a special envoy changes nothing for us. We decide our own future. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and territorial integrity must be respected.”
Writing on social media, the US president said Landry understood how “essential Greenland is to our national security” and would advance US interests.
Landry said his new position would not affect his duties as governor of Louisiana. He is a military veteran and former police officer who served as a U.S. congressman and Louisiana attorney general before being elected governor in 2023.
Landry has welcomed the president’s proposal to send National Guard troops to New Orleans as part of his fight against crime in American cities.
The governor had previously expressed his opinion on Greenland, writing on his personal X account in January: “President Donald J. Trump is absolutely right! We need to make sure Greenland joins the United States. GREAT for them, GREAT for us! Let’s do it!”
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has revived his long-standing interest in Greenland, citing its strategic location and mineral wealth.
He has refused to rule out the use of force to secure control of the island, a stance that has shocked Denmark, a NATO ally that has traditionally enjoyed close relations with Washington.
Greenland, home to about 57,000 people, has had extensive self-government since 1979, although defense and foreign policy remain in Danish hands. While most Greenlanders favor eventual independence from Denmark, opinion polls show overwhelming opposition to becoming part of the United States.
The dispute comes at a time of growing strategic competition in the Arctic, where melting ice opens new shipping routes and increases access to valuable mineral resources.
Greenland’s location between North America and Europe also makes it a central location for U.S. and NATO security planning and puts it on the shortest missile route between Russia and the United States.
The United States has maintained a base in Greenland since World War II, after invading to establish military and radio stations throughout the territory after the Nazis occupied Denmark during the conflict.
Vice President JD Vance visited the base in March and called on the people of Greenland to “come to an agreement with the United States.”
