On Sunday, Mr. Trump appointed Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland.<\/p>\n
![\"Trump](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ap25293789846067.jpg#.jpeg\")
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Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry in October 2025.<\/p>\n
Alex Brandon \/ AP<\/p>\n
\u00a0Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Monday he was “deeply angered” the move and warned Washington to respect Denmark’s sovereignty. <\/p>\n
In a post on social media platform Sunday night, Mr. Trump said Landry “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.” <\/p>\n
Landry responded directly to Mr. Trump on social media, saying, “It’s an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S.” <\/p>\n
The Danish foreign minister told television TV2 the Landry appointment and statements by Mr. Trump and Landry were “totally unacceptable” and said his ministry would call in the U.S. ambassador in coming days “to get an explanation.”<\/p>\n
“As long as we have a kingdom in Denmark that consists of Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland, we cannot accept that there are those who undermine our sovereignty,” he said. <\/p>\n
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen meanwhile said the appointment “doesn’t change anything for us here at home.”<\/p>\n
“We will determine our future ourselves. Greenland is our country,” he wrote on social media, adding: “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders, and territorial integrity must be respected.”<\/p>\n
The vast majority of Greenland’s 57,000 people want to become independent from Denmark but don’t wish to become part of the U.S, according to a January opinion poll. <\/p>\n
Leaders of both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly insisted that the huge Arctic island isn’t for sale and that it will decide its future itself. <\/p>\n
“The appointment confirms the continued American interest in Greenland,” Lokke Rasmussen said in a statement emailed to AFP. <\/p>\n
“However, we insist that everyone — including the U.S. — must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.”<\/p>\n
Greenland’s location, minerals put it in focus \u00a0<\/p>\n
Greenland is strategically located between North America and Europe at a time of rising U.S., Chinese and Russian interest in the Arctic, where sea lanes have opened up because of climate change<\/a>. <\/p>\n Greenland’s location also puts it on the shortest route for missiles between Russia and the United States.<\/p>\n