Donald Trump has sparked a renewed disagreement with Denmark after appointing a particular envoy to Greenland, the Arctic island he has said he would like to annex.
Trump announced on Sunday that Jeff Landry, the Republican governor of Louisiana, would become the US’s particular envoy to Greenland, a semi-autonomous half of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Writing on social media, the US president said Landry understood how “essential Greenland is to our national security” and would advance US pursuits.
Greenland’s prime minister said the island must “decide our own future” and its “territorial integrity must be respected”.
The transfer angered Copenhagen, which will call the US ambassador for “an explanation”.
Governor Landry said in a post on X it was an honour to serve in a “volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the United States”, saying the position would not have an effect on his duties as Louisiana governor.
Denmark’s international minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, described the appointment as “deeply upsetting” and warned Washington to respect Danish sovereignty.
He instructed 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’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said the territory was prepared to cooperate with the United States and other international locations, but only on the foundation of mutual respect.
He said: “The appointment of a special envoy does not change anything for us. We decide our own future. Greenland belongs to Greenlanders, and territorial integrity must be respected.”
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has revived his long-standing curiosity with Greenland, citing its strategic location and mineral wealth.
He has refused to rule out utilizing drive to secure control of the island, a stance that has shocked Denmark, a Nato ally that has historically loved close relations with Washington.
Greenland, home to about 57,000 people, has had intensive self-government since 1979, though defence and international coverage stay in Danish fingers. While most Greenlanders favour eventual independence from Denmark, opinion polls show overwhelming opposition to turning into half of the US.
The dispute comes as strategic competitors in the Arctic grows, with melting ice opening new transport routes and rising access to worthwhile mineral assets.
Greenland’s location between North America and Europe also makes it central to US and Nato security planning and places it on the shortest route for missiles between Russia and the United States.
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