Greenland standoff: Trump appoints ‘special envoy’; is he edging closer to annexation?

The fight over Greenland between Denmark and US president Donald Trump has reignited with the latter appointing a 'special envoy' for Greenland last weekend, prompting Danish rebuke.

Trump appointed Lousiana governor Jeff Landry as his special envoy to Greenland on Sunday. “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,” Trump said after making the announcement.

Landry was more direct about the agenda, as he wrote in a post on X responding to Trump, "It's an honour to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US.”




The majority of Greenland’s roughly 57,000 residents support independence from Denmark, but do not want Greenland to become part of the United States, according to a January opinion poll.

How Denmark reacted

Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen and her Greenlandic counterpart, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said in a joint statement, "We have said it before. Now, we say it again. National borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in international law. They are fundamental principles. You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security,” they said.

“Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders, and the US shall not take over Greenland. We expect respect for our joint territorial integrity,” they added in the statement, emailed by Frederiksen's office, reported news agency Associated Press.

Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said, "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.

Denmark also said Monday it would summon the US ambassador over the appointment.

Greenland: The status and importance

Greenland is a semi-autonomous region of Denmark. It has a mineral-rich topography and a strategic location in the Arctic island between North America and Europe.

Interest in the Arctic has increased as countries compete for access to rare earth minerals and as melting ice opens up new shipping routes.

The island’s location also places it on the shortest missile path between Russia and the United States.

The US already operates the Pituffik military base in Greenland, which is a key part of its missile defence system. Washington also opened a consulate on the island in June 2020.

A timeline of Trump's threats

1. August 2019: Trump publicly floated the idea of taking over Greenland and cancelled a state visit after Denmark's refusal.
2. December 22, 2024: Trump posts on Truth Social claiming Greenland was vital for US security.
3. January 7, 2025: In a press conference, Trump threatened tariffs on Denmark, and didn't rule out the use of force.
4. January 15, 2025: The US president had a fiery phone call with Danish PM Frederiksen over the issue.
5. March 2025: These visits in late March to Greenland drew criticism from the region's authorities.
6. March 29, 2025: Trump insisted, "We'll get Greenland 100%," in an interview with NBC.
7. December 21, 2025: Jeff Landry appointed special envoy to integrate Greenland into the US.