Trump appointing special envoy to Greenland angers Denmark, prompting it to call in US ambassador

Copenhagen, Denmark — Denmark said Monday it would summon the U.S. ambassador after President Trump named a special envoy to Greenland, the self-governing Danish territory he has often expressed interest in obtaining.

Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Mr. Trump has said that the United States needs the resource-rich island for security reasons and refused to rule out the use of force to obtain it.

On Sunday, Mr. Trump named Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Monday he was “deeply angered” by the decision and warned Washington to respect Denmark’s sovereignty.

In a message posted Sunday evening on the social media platform, Trump said Landry “understands how critical 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 responded directly to Mr. Trump on social media, saying: “It is an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland part of the United States. »

Denmark’s foreign minister told TV2 television that Landry’s appointment and Mr Trump and Landry’s statements were “totally unacceptable” and said his ministry would call the US ambassador in the coming days “for an explanation”.

“As long as we have a kingdom in Denmark consisting of Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, we cannot accept that some people undermine our sovereignty,” he said.

Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the appointment “changes nothing for us here at home.”

“We will determine our future ourselves. Greenland is our country,” he wrote on social media, adding: “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and territorial integrity must be respected.”

The vast majority of Greenland’s 57,000 residents want independence from Denmark but do not want to be part of the United States, according to an opinion poll in January.

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly insisted that the huge Arctic island is not for sale and that they will decide their future themselves.

“This appointment confirms the continued American interest in Greenland,” Lokke Rasmussen said in a statement emailed to AFP.

“However, we emphasize that everyone – including the United States – must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.”

On Monday, the president said the United States needs Greenland.

“We need Greenland for national security,” Mr. Trump said, adding: “We have to have it.”

The geographical location of Greenland and the minerals that highlight it

Greenland occupies a strategic position between North America and Europe, at a time when the United States, China and Russia are increasingly interested in the Arctic, where sea lanes have opened due to climate change.

Greenland’s geographic location also places it on the shortest missile route between Russia and the United States.

During a Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Greenland in MarchMr. Trump told reporters at the White House: “We need Greenland, very importantly, for international security.”

“We must have Greenland,” he said. “It’s not about, ‘Do you think we can get by without it?’ We can’t.”

In August, Denmark summoned the American charge d’affaires after reports of attempted interference in Greenland.

At least three US officials close to Mr Trump were observed in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, trying to identify supporters and opponents of rapprochement with the United States.

The United States opened a consulate in Greenland in June 2020.