Donald Trump sparked a new dispute with Denmark by appointing a special envoy to Greenland, the Arctic island he has proposed annexing to the United States on several occasions.

The US president announced this Sunday that Jeff Landry, the Republican governor of Louisiana, will be the US special envoy to Greenland, which is a semi-autonomous region of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Trump insisted on his idea that Greenland should be part of the United States. In response to a question from the BBC, he said that his country needs the island for reasons of “national protection.” “We have to have it,” he asserted.

Governor Landry stated in a post on Løkke Rasmussen called the appointment “deeply concerning” and demanded that Washington respect Danish sovereignty.

The Greenlandic Prime Minister stated that the island must “decide its own future” and that its “territorial integrity must be respected.”

Rasmussen told Danish broadcaster TV2: “As long as we have a kingdom comprised of Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland, we cannot accept actions that undermine our integrity.” territorial.”

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated that the territory is willing to cooperate with the United States and other countries, but only on the basis of mutual respect.

“The appointment of a special envoy changes nothing for us. We decide our own future. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders, and territorial integrity must be respected,” he declared.

Greenland, “Essential” for Trump

In a social media post,the US president assured that his new envoy to Greenland understands how “essential” that territory is “to our national security” and reiterated that he will defend US interests.

Jeff Landry, for his part, stated that the new position will not affect his duties as governor of Louisiana. A military veteran and former police officer, he was a congressman and Louisiana attorney general before being elected governor in 2023. Landry welcomed the president's proposal to send National Guard troops to New Orleans as part of his campaign against crime in American cities. The governor had already expressed his opinion on Greenland, writing on his personal X account in January: "President Donald J. Trump is absolutely right! We need to ensure that Greenland joins the United States. Great for them, great for us! Let's get it done!" Since his return to the White House in January, Trump has ramped up his interest in Greenland, citing its strategic location and mineral wealth. He has refused to rule out the use of force to secure control of the island, a stance that has shocked Denmark, a NATO ally that has traditionally maintained close ties with Washington. A strategic territory

With a population of approximately 57,000, Greenland has enjoyed broad autonomy since 1979, although its defense and foreign policy remain in Danish hands.

Most Greenlanders support long-term independence from Denmark, and opinion polls also show overwhelming opposition to becoming part of the United States.

This dispute arises against a backdrop of increasing strategic competition in the Arctic, where melting ice is opening new shipping routes and facilitating access to valuable minerals. resources.

Greenland's location between North America and Europe makes it a key strategic point for US and NATO security planning, and places it on the shortest missile route between Russia and the United States.

The United States has maintained a base in Greenland since World War II, after invading the territory to establish military installations and radio stations following the Nazi occupation of Denmark during the conflict.

The Vice President JD Vance visited the base in March and asked the Greenlanders to “reach an agreement with the United States.”