The relationship between the United States and its NATO ally Denmark has hit a new low after President Donald Trump appointed a “special envoy” to Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of the Danish Kingdom.1
The move is being seen in Copenhagen not as a diplomatic gesture, but as a direct challenge to Danish sovereignty and a revival of Trump’s 2019 ambition to annex the resource-rich island.2
The Appointment that Shook Copenhagen
On Sunday, Trump announced that Jeff Landry, the Republican Governor of Louisiana, would take on the role of Special Envoy to Greenland.3 Trump described the island as “essential to our National Security” and tasked Landry with advancing US interests.4
However, it was Landry’s response that truly ignited the firestorm. In a post on X, Landry stated it was an “honour” to serve in a volunteer position “to make Greenland a part of the United States.”5
Denmark’s “Deeply Upset” Reaction
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen did not mince words, describing the appointment and Landry’s comments as “completely unacceptable.”6
- Diplomatic Action: Denmark has officially summoned the US Ambassador, Kenneth Howery, to provide an “explanation” for the move.7
- Sovereignty Warning: Rasmussen insisted that as long as the Danish Kingdom exists, it will not accept actions that undermine its territorial integrity.8
Greenland is Not for Sale
In Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, the message was equally defiant.9 Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who took office in April 2025, made it clear that while Greenland is open to cooperation, its future belongs to its people.10
“Greenland belongs to Greenlanders. We decide our own future. The appointment of an envoy may sound big, but it doesn’t change anything for us at home.”
Why Does Trump Want Greenland?
The strategic tug-of-war over Greenland isn’t just about land; it’s about the future of global security and resources.11
- The Military Edge: Greenland sits on the shortest flight path for missiles between Russia and the US.12 It is home to the Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule), a critical hub for US missile defence and space surveillance.13
- The Mineral Goldmine: As Arctic ice melts, access to the world’s second-largest deposit of rare earth elements—essential for everything from smartphones to fighter jets—is becoming easier.14 Currently, this market is dominated by China.15
- Shipping Routes: By 2050, the Transpolar Sea Route is expected to be ice-free in summer, potentially cutting weeks off shipping times between Europe and Asia.
The Numbers: What Greenlanders Think
Despite Trump’s insistence, the local population is overwhelmingly opposed to becoming the 51st US state.
| Stance | Percentage (Jan 2025 Poll) |
| Oppose joining the USA | 85% |
| Support joining the USA | 6% |
| Undecided | 9% |
Is Force an Option?
The most alarming aspect of the current row is Trump’s refusal to rule out “military or economic coercion” to secure the island.16 While Denmark remains a key NATO ally, the Danish Defense Intelligence Service recently warned that the US is increasingly using its economic weight to “assert its will” over allies.17
