In a move that has reignited a long-simmering geopolitical dispute, former US President Donald Trump has created a new diplomatic post and filled it with a political ally, directly challenging Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland. The announcement has triggered a swift and firm diplomatic rebuke from Copenhagen.
A Controversial Appointment and a Swift Rejection
On Sunday, President Trump nominated Jeff Landry, the Governor of Louisiana and a staunch 'MAGA' supporter, as the United States' first-ever special envoy to Greenland. This position did not exist prior to Trump's announcement. In a statement, Trump justified the appointment by saying, "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."
Governor Landry, who began his term in January 2024, described the role as a "volunteer position." He wrote on social media platform X, "It's an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S." He was quick to add, "This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!"
The reaction from Denmark was immediate and unequivocal. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated that while the appointment "confirms the continued American interest in Greenland," Denmark insists that "everyone—including the U.S.—must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark." In stronger remarks to TV2, he labelled the nomination "completely unacceptable" and said he would demand an explanation from the US ambassador. He emphasised, "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."
Greenland's Firm Stance and the Broader Arctic Context
Greenland's own leadership was equally firm. Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated that Landry's appointment "doesn't change anything for us here at home." On social media, he asserted, "We will determine our future ourselves. Greenland is our country. Greenland belongs to Greenlanders, and territorial integrity must be respected."
This diplomatic flare-up is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of US pressure under Trump. Earlier this month, the Danish Defence Intelligence Service reported that the United States was using its economic power to "assert its will" and was willing to threaten military force against allies and adversaries alike. The report specifically highlighted the growing "strategic importance of the Arctic" amid tensions between Russia and the West.
Trump's fascination with acquiring Greenland is well-documented. During his presidential transition and early in his second term, he repeatedly pushed for US control of the island and did not rule out using military force. Exactly one year ago, he wrote on Truth Social, "For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity."
A Pattern of Provocation and Strategic Posturing
The recent tensions have been building for months. On March 28, 2025, US Vice President JD Vance visited the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland and accused Denmark of under-investing in the territory. The dispute escalated again in August when Danish officials summoned the US ambassador after reports emerged that at least three individuals linked to Trump had conducted covert influence operations in Greenland. Trump had previously appointed Ken Howery, a PayPal co-founder, as the US ambassador to Denmark.
The creation of a special envoy role, filled by a sitting US governor with a stated goal of making Greenland "part of the U.S.," represents a significant escalation. It moves beyond rhetoric and speculation into a formal, albeit controversial, diplomatic action. While framed by the Trump administration as a matter of national security and alliance management, the move is perceived in Copenhagen and Nuuk as a direct affront to their sovereignty and a destabilising act in the strategically sensitive Arctic region.
The situation underscores the complex and often tense interplay of geopolitics, sovereignty, and resource competition in the High North, with a former US president willing to upend traditional diplomatic norms to pursue a long-held ambition.
