In a move that has reignited tensions between Washington and Copenhagen, President Donald Trump’s newly appointed envoy to Greenland, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, announced on Tuesday that the administration intends to open a conversation with residents of the Danish territory about its future.
The Envoy’s Message
During a Fox News interview on “The Will Cain Show,” Landry emphasized that the U.S. would not seek to “conquer” or “take over” Greenland. “Our discussions should be with the actual people in Greenland-the Greenlanders,” he said. “What are they looking for? What opportunities have they not gotten? Why haven’t they gotten the protection that they actually deserve?”
Landry’s remarks appear at odds with President Trump’s earlier statements, which have repeatedly called for U.S. control of the Arctic island and suggested that military force could be used to secure its mineral resources.
Denmark’s Strong Response
Danish officials reacted sharply. Foreign Minister Jeppe Bjerre told Danish broadcasters that he would summon the U.S. ambassador to the ministry. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s representative Jens-Frederik Nielsen issued a joint statement on Monday: “National borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in international law… You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security.”
The announcement of Landry’s appointment came without prior warning to the Danish government, according to an anonymous official. A congressional aide, also speaking anonymously, said the administration had yet to disclose details of the appointment to Congress.
A History of Tension
The Greenland issue has flared up repeatedly during Trump’s campaign and early presidency. In March, Vice President John D. Vance visited a remote U.S. military base in Greenland and accused Denmark of under-investing in the facility. The topic faded from headlines until August, when Danish officials summoned the top U.S. diplomat in Copenhagen after a report that at least three people connected to Trump had carried out covert influence operations in Greenland.
Now, with the new envoy in place, Washington’s stance is again under scrutiny. Trump has called for U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland during his transition and in the first months of his second term.
Global Context
The Greenland debate unfolds amid a crowded foreign-policy agenda for the Trump administration. President Trump is juggling a fragile truce in Gaza, ongoing negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, and a broader strategy to assert U.S. influence in the Arctic.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, questioned the wisdom of “picking fights with friends” in a statement on Tuesday. “Greenland’s sovereignty is not up for debate,” she said. “Denmark is a critical NATO ally that has stood side by side with the U.S.”
Key Takeaways
- Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, appointed as Greenland envoy, pledges dialogue with local residents and rejects conquest.
- Denmark’s leaders warn that Greenland’s sovereignty cannot be challenged, citing international law.
- The appointment follows a history of U.S. criticism of Danish investment in Greenland and covert influence efforts.
- Trump’s administration faces a crowded foreign-policy agenda while the Greenland debate resurfaces.
In short, Washington’s new envoy has signaled a willingness to engage with Greenland’s people, but the Danish government remains firm that sovereignty and borders are non-negotiable. The unfolding dialogue will test the limits of U.S. influence in the Arctic and could reshape U.S.-Denmark relations for years to come.
