US President Donald Trump has appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as his special envoy to Greenland, an island under Danish sovereignty. Landry has stated that he will work to make Greenland a part of the United States in his new role. According to Trump, Landry “understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security,” as announced on Truth Social.
The development has been met with opposition from Denmark, with Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen describing it as “completely unacceptable” and saying it came “out of nowhere.” The Danish Foreign Ministry will summon the US ambassador in Copenhagen to demand explanations. Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has downplayed the move, stating that it “doesn’t change anything for us at home” and the island still belongs to its people.
Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland dates back to his first term, and he has not ruled out annexing the island. The US has maintained a military presence on the strategically important island since World War II. In March, Vice President J.D. Vance visited the US Space Force base on the northwest coast of Greenland, where he noted that while the US was not likely to use military force to seize the territory, it remained open to locals exercising their right to self-determination and breaking away from Denmark.
Landry, who assumed his current role as Louisiana Governor last year, has assured that his new volunteer position will not affect his gubernatorial duties. The move has significant implications for US-Danish relations and the future of Greenland. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how Denmark and Greenland will respond to the US’s renewed interest in the island. The US’s strategic interests in the region are likely to continue playing a major role in its foreign policy decisions regarding Greenland.
