U.S. President Donald Trump has renewed his long-standing call for Greenland to come under American control, arguing that the Arctic island is vital to U.S. national security.
Speaking to reporters in Florida, Trump said the United States must secure Greenland due to growing military activity in the region, particularly from Russia and China.
As part of the renewed push, Trump has appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special U.S. envoy to Greenland, tasking him with advancing Washington’s interests on the island. The move immediately drew strong reactions from Denmark and Greenland, both of which rejected any suggestion that the territory could be taken over by another country.
Danish and Greenlandic leaders jointly stressed that Greenland’s future rests solely in the hands of its people.
Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, holds increasing strategic value because of its location between North America and Europe and its role in U.S. missile defence systems. The island is also rich in critical minerals, which has added to U.S. interest as Washington looks to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains.
The appointment of a special envoy has further strained relations between the United States and Denmark. Danish officials described the move as unacceptable and said it contradicts principles of sovereignty and international law. Greenland’s prime minister also dismissed the announcement, saying it would not affect the island’s right to determine its own future.
The development comes amid wider diplomatic tensions, with the Trump administration recently taking actions that have put additional pressure on Denmark, including moves affecting Danish-linked energy projects. Analysts say the latest step signals that Washington is prepared to escalate its stance on Greenland despite firm opposition from Copenhagen and Nuuk.
