In a move that has reignited international tensions, former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly reiterated his controversial proposition to annex Greenland, immediately drawing forceful condemnations from Greenlandic, Danish, and European Union leadership.
Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump framed the potential acquisition as a critical national security imperative, explicitly stating, “We need Greenland for national security, not for minerals.” This assertion directly contradicts previous justifications from his administration, which had cited a combination of Arctic strategic interests, security concerns, and the island’s vast reserves of critical minerals as primary motivations.
The controversy intensified with Trump’s announcement appointing Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland. Landry characterized the role on social media platform X as a voluntary position dedicated to making “Greenland a part of the U.S.” Trump defended the appointment, claiming, “We have to have it and he wanted to lead the charge,” while dismissively questioning Danish sovereignty by asserting they “have spent no money and have no military protection.”
This political maneuver has triggered a swift and unified diplomatic backlash. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen expressed profound dismay, labeling the envoy’s statements “completely unacceptable” and announcing the summoning of the U.S. Ambassador to Denmark for formal discussions.
In a powerful joint statement, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen delivered a unequivocal message: “We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again. You cannot annex other countries. Not even with an argument about international security. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.” They emphasized their expectation of respect for their “joint territorial integrity.”
The European Union reinforced this position through Foreign Affairs spokesperson Anouar El Anouni, who declared that preserving “the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, its sovereignty and the inviolability of its borders is essential for the European Union,” confirming the bloc’s longstanding stance on the matter.
The autonomous territory of Greenland, while self-governing in domestic affairs since 2009, remains under Danish authority regarding foreign, defense, and security policy, making this proposition a direct challenge to established international sovereignty norms.