Denmark expressed strong disapproval after President Trump named Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland — a post Landry said he would use to pursue U.S. annexation of the island. Danish and Greenlandic leaders have firmly rejected any plan to transfer Greenland to the United States, saying the island's future belongs to its people. The Danish government has summoned the U.S. ambassador and warned the appointment risks undermining respect for Denmark's territorial integrity. The EU also urged protection of Denmark's sovereignty and borders.
Denmark Condemns Trump Appointment Of Greenland Envoy After Call For U.S. Annexation
A view of Nuuk, Greenland, in March. - Leonhard Foeger/Reuters/FILE
Denmark's foreign minister said Monday he was "deeply upset" after U.S. President Donald Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland — an appointment Landry said he would use to pursue making the island part of the United States.
What Happened
On Sunday, President Trump announced the appointment on Truth Social, 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." In response, Landry thanked the president and described the role as "an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S." He added that the role "in no way affects" his duties as governor of Louisiana.
Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen and Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen address journalists in Copenhagen on September 26. - Liselotte Sabroe/AFP/Ritzau Scanpix/Getty Images
Strong Reactions From Denmark And Greenland
"I am deeply upset by this appointment of a special envoy. And I am particularly upset by his statements, which we find completely unacceptable," said Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen to Denmark's TV 2, according to Reuters.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen issued a joint statement reiterating their rejection of any U.S. takeover: "You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the US shall not take over Greenland." Nielsen added that while the announcement "may sound big, it does not change anything for us. We decide our own future."
Background And Diplomatic Fallout
Greenland is a vast, resource-rich, self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. President Trump has previously floated the idea of annexing Greenland, arguing U.S. security interests justify greater control. Both Denmark and Greenland have consistently rejected the idea.
US Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance stand with Col. Susan Meyers (L), commander of the US military's Pituffik Space Base, as they tour the base on March 28, 2025 in Pituffik, Greenland. - Jim Watson/Getty Images
Rasmussen said he would summon the U.S. ambassador to Denmark in response to the appointment and stressed that "we insist that everyone — including the U.S. — must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark." The Danish foreign ministry also summoned the U.S. envoy last August after reports that several American men had attempted influence operations on the island.
Broader Concerns
Vice President JD Vance drew controversy during a March visit to Greenland when he described the island as vulnerable and argued the U.S. needed to increase its presence. The European Union also weighed in: EU spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said preserving the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark "and the inviolability of its borders is essential for the European Union."
Bottom line: The appointment has heightened tensions between the U.S. and its Nordic allies and reinforced Denmark's position that Greenland's future must be decided by Greenlanders, not by outside powers.
