U.S. President Donald Trump has named Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland, reigniting tensions with Denmark and Greenland’s leaders. Trump has long expressed interest in Greenland, citing national security and mineral resources, while Danish officials insist the island’s territorial integrity must be respected.
Greenland’s Prime Minister and local politicians have emphasized that the island will decide its own future, with little support for becoming part of the United States. Experts note Greenland’s strategic position in the Arctic, key to missile defense and rising global interest from the U.S., China, and Russia.
Watch as we break down the diplomatic fallout and the strategic stakes in this developing story.
00:00U.S. President Donald Trump has triggered fresh diplomatic tension with Denmark after naming Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as the United States Special Envoy to Greenland, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Danish officials and renewed concern in Greenland itself.
00:30Trump announced the appointment on Sunday, reviving his long-standing claim that Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory, should become part of the United States.
00:40Trump has repeatedly cited national security concerns and the island's mineral wealth as justification for U.S. interest.
00:48In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Landry understands how essential Greenland is to our national security and would advance American interests for the safety, security and survival of our allies, and indeed, the world.
01:04Landry, who took office as Louisiana Governor in January 2024, publicly welcomed the role.
01:13Writing on X, he called it an honor to serve in what he described as a volunteer position and said it would not affect his duties as governor.
01:22He also echoed Trump's position, stating the role would help make Greenland part of the United States.
01:28The reaction in Denmark was swift and forceful.
01:32Danish Foreign Minister Lars Loka Rasmussen said he would summon the U.S. ambassador to Copenhagen and added that he was deeply upset by the appointment and by Landry's remarks.
01:43Speaking to Denmark's TV2, Rasmussen said the statements were completely unacceptable.
01:48In an earlier statement, as reported by Reuters, Rasmussen added that Denmark insists everyone, including the U.S., must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.
02:01A separate Guardian report also backed Reuters' claim.
02:05It stated Rasmussen went further, saying he was deeply angered by the move, and confirmed that Denmark's Foreign Ministry would call in the U.S. ambassador in the coming days to seek an explanation.
02:20Greenland's leaders have also pushed back.
02:22Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen said in a Facebook post that while the announcement may sound big, it changes nothing for Greenland, stressing that the island alone will decide its future.
02:33Aja Kemnitz, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, told Reuters that appointing a U.S. envoy is not inherently a problem.
02:43However, she said the issue lies in the stated goal of taking over Greenland, something she said there is no desire for among Greenlanders.
02:53Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the EU stressed sovereignty of Kingdom of Denmark must be preserved.
02:58It is not for me here to comment on U.S. decisions, but what I can say about the EU position is the following, which has been our long-standing position on the matter.
03:10That preserving the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, its sovereignty and the inviolability of its borders is essential for the European Union.
03:22Greenland, home to about 57,000 people, has had the legal right to declare independence from Denmark since 2009.
03:31While many residents support eventual independence, The Guardian noted that opinion polls show little support for becoming part of the United States.
03:41Strategically, Greenland occupies a critical position in the Arctic.
03:45It lies along the shortest route between Europe and North America and plays a key role in U.S. ballistic missile defence.
03:53Its location has also drawn increased attention from China and Russia, particularly as climate change opens new Arctic sea lanes.
04:02Denmark, a NATO ally of the United States, has sought to ease tensions with Washington by strengthening Greenland's defence capabilities in response to U.S. concerns about security in the region.
04:15Even so, leaders in both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly made clear that the island is not for sale.
04:23Trump's latest move, however, underscores that Greenland remains firmly at the centre of U.S. strategic interest, and a growing source of friction between allies.
04:32Trump's latest move, benefiting and extremely rare in different countries.
04:42Trump has anunciated him blue أنnanes.
04:45Trump's latest move, having to write the avenue through southern Africa and Polis, the country, has Khalil Bhaiz.
04:47Trump started conducting a political mix of celebrating his name and his Senate with Richlehem.
Be the first to comment