Trump names special envoy to Greenland angers Denmark, prompting it to recall US ambassador

Copenhagen, Denmark – Denmark said on Monday it would recall the US ambassador after President Trump appointed a special envoy to Greenland, a Danish territory it has often expressed interest in acquiring.

Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Mr. Trump said the US it needs an island rich in resources for safety reasons and go refused to ban the use of force for protection.

On Sunday, Mr. Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Monday he was “very upset” by the move and warned Washington to respect Denmark’s sovereignty.

In a social media post on Sunday night, Mr. Trump said Landry “understands how important Greenland is to National Security, and he will advance our country’s interests in the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World.”

Landry responded directly to Mr. Trump on social media, said, “It is an honor to serve in this voluntary capacity to make Greenland a part of the US”

The Danish foreign minister told TV2 that the appointment of Landry and the statements of Mr. Trump and Landry are “absolutely unacceptable” and said his department will call the US ambassador in the coming days “to get an explanation.”

“As long as we have a kingdom in Denmark that includes Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland, we will not accept that there are those who underestimate our sovereignty,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of Greenland, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said that the appointment “doesn’t change anything for us here at home.”

“We will decide our own future. Greenland is our country,” he wrote on social media, adding: “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders, and the integrity of the land must be respected.”

Most of Greenland’s 57,000 people want independence from Denmark but do not wish to become part of the US, according to a January survey.

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly emphasized that the large Arctic island is not for sale and that it will decide its own future.

“The appointment confirms America’s continued interest in Greenland,” Lokke Rasmussen said in an emailed statement to AFP.

“However, we insist that everyone — including the US — must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.”

On Monday, the president said the US needs Greenland.

“We need Greenland to secure the country,” said Mr. Trump, adding, “We have to have it.”

The area of ​​Greenland, the minerals put it in focus

Greenland is ideally located between North America and Europe at a time of growing US, Chinese and Russian interest in the Arctic, where sea lanes have opened up due to climate change.

Greenland’s location also puts it on the shortest missile route between Russia and the United States.

During a the visit of Vice President JD Vance to Greenland in MarchMr. Trump told reporters at the White House, “We need Greenland, very important, for international security.”

“We have to have Greenland,” he said. “It’s not a question of, ‘Do you think we could do without it?’ We can not.”

In August, Denmark called the US charge d’affaires after reports of an attempted invasion of Greenland.

At least three US officials close to Mr. Trump was seen in the capital of Greenland, Nuuk, trying to identify people by negotiating with the United States.

The US opened a consulate in Greenland in June 2020.