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- Author, Drafting
- Author title, BBC News World
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Reading time: 4 minutes
Donald Trump sparked a new row with Denmark when he appointed a special envoy to Greenland, the Arctic island that he has repeatedly proposed annexing to the United States.
The US president announced on Sunday that Jeff Landry, the Republican governor of the state of Louisiana, will be the US special envoy to Greenland, a semi-autonomous region of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Governor Landry said in an X post that he considers it an honor to serve in this “volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the United States.”
Greenland’s prime minister said the island must “decide its own future” and that its “territorial integrity must be respected.”
Outrage in Denmark
The new announcement angered Copenhagen, which will invite the American ambassador to “seek explanations.”
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen called the appointment “deeply worrying” and called on Washington to respect Danish sovereignty.
Rasmussen told 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 Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the territory was ready to work with the United States and other countries, but only on the basis of mutual respect.
“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,” he said.
Greenland, “essential” for Trump
image source, Getty Images
In a publication on social networks, the US President assured that his new envoy to Greenland understands how “essential” this territory is “to our national security” and reiterated that he will defend the interests of the United States.
For his part, Jeff Landry stated that the new position has no impact on his duties as governor of Louisiana. A military veteran and former police officer, he served as a congressman and attorney general of Louisiana before being elected governor in 2023.
Landry welcomed the president’s proposal to send National Guard troops to New Orleans as part of his campaign to combat crime in American cities.
The governor previously voiced his opinion on Greenland on his personal
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has increased his interest in Greenland, citing its strategic location and mineral wealth.
He has refused to rule out using force to secure control of the island, a stance that has shocked Denmark, a NATO ally that has traditionally had close ties with Washington.
A strategic area
image source, Reuters
With a population of around 57,000, Greenland has enjoyed extensive autonomy since 1979, but its defense and foreign policy remains in Danish hands.
Most Greenlanders support long-term independence from Denmark, and opinion polls also show overwhelming opposition to joining the United States.
This dispute comes against the backdrop of growing strategic competition in the Arctic, where melting ice is opening up new sea routes and improving access to valuable mineral resources.
Because of its location between North America and Europe, Greenland is an important strategic point for U.S. and NATO security planning and lies on the shortest missile route between Russia and the United States.
The United States had maintained a base in Greenland since World War II and invaded the area to establish military facilities and radio stations after the Nazis occupied Denmark during the conflict.
Vice President JD Vance visited the base in March and urged Greenlanders to “reach an agreement with the United States.”
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