Trump Appoints Envoy to Secure Greenland for US Amid Danish Rejection
Trump advocates US acquisition of Greenland for national security, appoints envoy; Denmark and Greenland oppose.
Former US President Donald Trump has once again asserted that the United States needs Greenland for its national security, reigniting a long-standing geopolitical controversy. Speaking to reporters in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump said Greenland’s strategic location makes it essential for US defense interests, particularly amid growing Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic region.
Trump announced the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as his special envoy to Greenland, stating that Landry would “lead the charge.” The move immediately drew sharp criticism from Denmark and Greenland, both of which rejected any suggestion of US control over the mineral-rich Arctic territory. Greenland is a self-governing region under Danish sovereignty.
Emphasizing security concerns over economic motives, Trump claimed the US interest was not about minerals but about countering foreign military presence. He pointed to Russian and Chinese ships operating near Greenland’s coastline, arguing that US control is necessary to safeguard national and international security interests.
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Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen issued a joint statement rejecting Trump’s remarks. They stressed that Greenland belongs to its people and cannot be annexed under any pretext, including security concerns. Nielsen later reaffirmed that Greenland alone will decide its future.
Governor Landry publicly welcomed the appointment, calling it an honor to serve in a voluntary role. His remarks further inflamed diplomatic tensions, with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen calling the move “completely unacceptable” and announcing plans to summon the US ambassador for clarification.
Greenland’s strategic importance has long attracted global attention due to its location between North America and Europe, its role in US missile defense systems, and its untapped mineral resources. While Greenland has the right to declare independence under a 2009 agreement, it remains economically dependent on Denmark, making the renewed US pressure a sensitive and escalating diplomatic issue.
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