Former US President Donald Trump has once again stirred international tensions by appointing Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland, the vast Arctic island that Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in annexing. Speaking to the BBC about Landry’s new role, Trump emphasized that the United States “needs Greenland for national protection” and insisted, “we have to have it.”
Landry, according to Trump, will “lead the charge” in representing US interests on the semi-autonomous island, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Copenhagen. Denmark’s government responded by announcing it would summon the US ambassador for “an explanation,” highlighting the diplomatic friction caused by what they view as a challenge to Danish sovereignty. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen echoed this sentiment, asserting that “the island must decide its own future” and that its “territorial integrity must be respected.”
Governor Landry, a military veteran and former congressman who became Louisiana’s governor in 2023, expressed enthusiasm about the volunteer position on social media, stating it was an “honor to serve” in promoting Greenland’s integration with the US. His remarks, along with Trump’s comments, reflect the former president’s enduring interest in Greenland, which he has linked to strategic security concerns and the region’s mineral wealth. Trump has even declined to rule out the use of force to secure the territory, alarming Denmark, a long-standing NATO ally.
In his statement, Trump highlighted the strategic significance of Greenland, particularly in relation to Chinese and Russian naval activity in nearby waters. The island, home to roughly 57,000 residents, has enjoyed extensive self-government since 1979, though defense and foreign policy remain under Danish control. While many Greenlanders support eventual independence from Denmark, polls indicate overwhelming opposition to becoming part of the United States.
Denmark’s Foreign Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, called Landry’s appointment “deeply upsetting” and warned that Washington must respect Danish sovereignty. Similarly, the EU expressed solidarity with Denmark, with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posting on social media that the union fully supports Danish and Greenlandic interests.
Historically, the US has maintained a military presence in Greenland since World War II, with bases and radio stations established after Denmark was occupied by Nazi Germany. Interest in the island resurfaced during Trump’s first term when he proposed buying Greenland in 2019—a suggestion firmly rejected by both Denmark and Greenland. The reopening of a US consulate in Nuuk in 2020 and subsequent visits by US officials have reinforced Washington’s presence and interest in the Arctic region, which is gaining strategic importance due to melting ice, new shipping routes, and access to mineral resources.
Trump’s appointment of a special envoy and Landry’s vocal support for annexation signal that the former president’s ambition to bring Greenland under US control remains undiminished. The move highlights ongoing US interest in the Arctic and underscores the potential for heightened geopolitical competition in the region, particularly as global powers like China and Russia expand their presence.
With tensions simmering and Greenland asserting its right to self-determination, the latest development could shape Arctic diplomacy and security for years to come, raising questions about the limits of US influence and the role of sovereignty in a strategically vital region.