United States President Donald Trump has escalated his campaign to bring Greenland under American influence, calling the Danish self-governing territory “essential” to US national security. On Monday, Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy tasked with advancing Washington’s interests in the Arctic island, sparking sharp protests from both Danish and Greenlandic officials.

US National Security and Greenland

Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, Trump emphasized Greenland’s strategic importance in the Arctic:

“We need Greenland for national security, not for minerals. If you take a look at Greenland, you look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place… We have to have it.”

Trump’s rhetoric underlines a growing concern in Washington over foreign influence in the Arctic region, citing Russian and Chinese naval activity near Greenland’s coast. The US president has repeatedly suggested that control over the resource-rich island is crucial to national defense.

Appointment of Special Envoy

Jeff Landry, Louisiana’s governor, was named as Trump’s envoy to Greenland. In a statement posted on X, Landry described his role as “an honour to serve… in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US,” while clarifying that his gubernatorial duties would not be affected.

The appointment drew immediate criticism from Denmark and Greenland. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen jointly stated:

“Greenland belongs to Greenlanders. You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security. The US shall not take over Greenland.”

Nielsen also stressed on social media that US moves “may sound big, but it does not change anything for us. We decide our own future.” Frederiksen described the situation as “difficult” for Denmark, noting the longstanding alliance with the US.

Denmark and European Union React

Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs Lars Lokke Rasmussen announced plans to summon US envoy Kenneth Howery to express Copenhagen’s “deep anger” over Landry’s appointment. Rasmussen condemned the governor’s remarks on annexation as “totally unacceptable.”

The European Union has expressed full solidarity with Denmark. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa emphasized that “territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law,” signaling EU support for Denmark against US pressure.

Strategic Importance of Greenland

Greenland is a self-governing territory under the Kingdom of Denmark, strategically located between Europe and North America. It hosts key US ballistic missile defense systems and has significant mineral deposits, including rare earth elements critical to modern technology. Control over Greenland could reduce US reliance on foreign minerals, particularly from China, while enhancing Arctic military and security capabilities.

Despite Trump’s repeated statements, an opinion poll conducted in January indicates that most of Greenland’s 57,000 residents favor independence from Denmark but do not wish to join the United States.

Escalating Tensions

Trump’s latest moves include appointing Landry and suspending leases for five large offshore wind projects on the US East Coast, including two developed by Denmark’s state-controlled Orsted. These actions have intensified tensions between Washington and Copenhagen, raising concerns about potential diplomatic fallout in the Arctic and transatlantic relations.

The situation underscores the strategic competition in the Arctic, where resources, military positioning, and international law intersect. Observers note that Greenland’s future will be closely watched by both allies and rivals of the United States.