With transatlantic ties showing clear signs of weakening that in several places are bordering on open conflict between Washington and Brussels, his government has once again provoked backlash from this side of the Atlantic, due to bringing its issue – and its possible annexation – into the news.
Movements from the USA
The issue resurfaced when yesterday Donald Trump announced that he was appointing Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry as a special envoy for Greenland, claiming in a post on Truth Social that: “Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security and will vigorously advance our Country’s Security Interests, and the Survival of our Allies and of course his world”.
Jeff Landry, who took office as governor of Louisiana in January 2024, thanked Trump via X, saying, “I am honored to serve … in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US. This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!”
Trump has said several times that Greenland, which belongs to Denmark and has broad autonomy, should become part of the United States, citing security reasons and interest in the island’s mineral wealth. Landry praised the idea this year.
“President Donald J. Trump is absolutely right!” Landry wrote on January 9 at X. “We need to ensure that Greenland joins the United States. GREAT for them, GREAT for us! Let’s do it!’
The answer is clear and there is even a mutual respect agreement with the US
Greenland and Denmark have rejected the idea.
Although the United States and Greenland pledged this month to show “mutual respect,” Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt said US comments about Greenland have caused uncertainty among locals and underscored the need to speak openly with the United States.
“Our country and the United States have been working together for 80 years based on common interests. There is a need to restore trust so that we can continue good cooperation,” Mozfeldt said on December 8, according to Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq.
Strong reactions to the new challenge
On the occasion of the above, Denmark announced that it will call the US ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to give explanations regarding the appointment of the special envoy for Greenland, while describing this decision as “totally unacceptable”.
“I am deeply angry about this appointment, which I find completely unacceptable,” Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen told Danish broadcaster TV2, adding that he would call the US ambassador in the coming days “to ask for an explanation”.
A little earlier, the Danish foreign minister said that Trump’s decision to appoint Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland reflects the continued American interest in this Arctic island.
“The appointment confirms continued American interest in Greenland. However, we insist that everyone – including the US – must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark,” Rasmussen said in an emailed statement.
The issue took on dimensions and thus there was a relevant comment from the EU side, with a representative of the Union stressing that: “The maintenance of Denmark’s territorial integrity, its sovereignty and the inviolability of its borders is of essential importance for the European Union”.
