Denmark has reacted with sharp criticism after U.S. President Donald Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as Washington’s special envoy to Greenland, reviving international debate over the Arctic island’s status. Trump made the announcement on his social media platform Truth Social late Sunday, reaffirming his long-stated view that Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, is vital to U.S. security interests and should be more closely aligned with the United States. His comments and the appointment intensified diplomatic tensions with Copenhagen and highlighted broader geopolitical competition surrounding Greenland.
In the announcement, Trump said that Landry would serve “as the United States Special Envoy to Greenland” and underscored the island’s strategic importance. Trump wrote that “Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country’s Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World.” The president’s remarks reflected repeated assertions he has made about the island’s significance to American strategic planning. While Greenland manages most of its internal affairs, Denmark retains authority over foreign policy and security matters, making the appointment particularly controversial.
Landry, who has served as governor since early 2024, posted on social media that taking on the unpaid role was an “honor,” and reiterated his support for increased U.S. involvement in Greenland. He stated that he would work to “make Greenland a part of the U.S.” and clarified that “This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!” The governor’s comments echoed Trump’s long-standing narrative that U.S. engagement in Greenland should go beyond existing defense arrangements.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen responded with a message urging calm and reaffirming the island’s right to determine its own trajectory. Posting on social media, Nielsen acknowledged that the situation “may seem like a lot,” but emphasized that “We will shape our own future,” adding, “Greenland is ours, and our borders will be respected.” His remarks underscored the position within Greenland that sovereignty and self-determination remain central, even as external powers express interest.
Copenhagen’s response was notably more confrontational. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen told local media he was “deeply outraged” and said he would summon U.S. Ambassador Ken Howery for discussions about the appointment. Danish officials emphasized the importance of respecting Denmark’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, criticizing the U.S. move as an overreach into matters that fall under Danish responsibility.
European reactions also emerged, with European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni stating that protecting the “inviolability” of Denmark’s and Greenland’s borders is “essential for the European Union.” This highlighted broader concerns among European institutions about preserving established international norms and territorial sovereignty amid heightened U.S. interest in the Arctic region.
An additional factor driving international attention to Greenland is its strategic geopolitical role, which extends beyond immediate diplomatic tensions. Greenland hosts the United States’ Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, a long-standing U.S. military installation established under a 1951 defense treaty with Denmark. The base, operated by the U.S. Space Force, is the northernmost Department of Defense installation and plays a key role in missile warning, space surveillance, and early warning systems that support both U.S. and allied defense arrangements across the Arctic and North Atlantic. Its presence underscores Greenland’s longstanding security relevance to the United States and NATO. Wikipedia
Trump’s latest appointment comes amid a backdrop of international competition for influence in the Arctic, where Greenland’s location along emerging shipping routes, its potential natural resources, and its military significance have attracted attention from global powers including the U.S., Russia, China, and the European Union. The confluence of these interests has made the island a focal point of geopolitical strategy, as nations seek access to critical minerals, oversight of new transit corridors opened by climate-driven ice melt, and strategic vantage points for defense operations. Belfer Center
Conclusion Denmark Responds After Trump Assigns Louisiana Governor as U.S. Greenland Envoy
The appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as U.S. special envoy to Greenland has reignited diplomatic tensions between the United States, Denmark, and Greenland, highlighting unresolved questions about sovereignty, strategic interests, and the role of external powers in the Arctic. Responses from Danish officials and leaders in Greenland underscore a firm insistence on self-determination and respect for established international agreements, even as global competition surrounding the Arctic’s strategic value continues to grow.
