Denmark is angered by the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as the new US special envoy to Greenland as President Donald Trump continues to pressure the Nordic nation and seeks to annex the autonomous region from Copenhagen.
In appointing Landry on Sunday, Trump — who has threatened to take Greenland from ally Denmark by force if necessary — wrote that the southern governor, “understands how essential Greenland is to our national security, and will vigorously advance our country’s interests for the safety, security, and survival of our allies and indeed the world.”
“It is an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the United States,” Landry wrote on social media platform X to thank Trump for the appointment.
On Monday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said he was “deeply angry” at the move and said Washington should respect Denmark’s sovereignty, with Copenhagen vowing to summon the US ambassador in protest.
“As long as we have one state in Denmark that includes Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland,” Rasmussen said, “we cannot accept that there are people who undermine our sovereignty.”
Rasmussen told Denmark’s TV 2 that he was “particularly troubled by [Landry’s] statement,” calling them “completely unacceptable”, and adding to the Reuters news agency: “We emphasize that everyone, including the US, must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.”
The EU said it stands in “full solidarity” with the people of Denmark and Greenland as the US steps up its efforts to annex the islands.
European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa both expressed their solidarity with Copenhagen, one of the EU members, by calling territorial integrity and sovereignty “fundamental principles of international law”.
“These principles are essential not only for the EU, but for countries around the world,” the duo posted on their X account.
Greenland Prime Minister: Appointment ‘changes nothing’
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Fredrik Nielsen said the news of the appointment, “may seem like a big deal,” but he added that it “changes nothing for us at home.”
“We will decide our own future,” he said.
In a joint statement with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Nielsen said: “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders and the US will not annex Greenland.”
Although most Greenlanders say they want to be independent from Denmark, they have also expressed clear opposition to becoming a US property.
Why is Trump so adamant about taking over Greenland?
Trump, who offered the option of purchasing Greenland and established a new consulate there during his first term, has repeatedly threatened to withdraw no matter what after returning to office in January 2025.
He has sought to emphasize Greenland’s location and mineral wealth as key to US national security and has ignored the wishes of Greenlanders and Danish leaders in his efforts.
The US has also sent high-level representatives to Greenland such as Vice President JD Vance as well as Donald Trump Jr. in an apparent effort to advance the president’s agenda.
This August, Denmark – a NATO ally – summoned US representatives over reports that Washington was attempting to intervene in Greenland.
Greenland, located midway between the US and the Arctic, is a former Danish colony that has had the right to declare its independence since 2009.
Edited by: Rana Taha