Trump reignites push to acquire Greenland: appoints special envoy amid diplomatic storm

In a bold move echoing his longstanding fascination with the Arctic territory, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as the United States’ special envoy to Greenland.

The decision, aimed at advancing U.S. interests in potentially annexing the mineral-rich island from Denmark, has immediately escalated tensions with Copenhagen and Nuuk, prompting Denmark to summon the U.S. ambassador and issue sharp rebukes from both Danish and Greenlandic leaders.

Trump, who has repeatedly floated the idea of purchasing or incorporating Greenland into the U.S. since his first term, praised Landry in a post on Truth Social: “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.”

Landry, a staunch Trump ally and Republican governor who took office in January 2024, responded enthusiastically on X: “It’s an honor to serve … in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S. This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!”

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but the appointment underscores Trump’s “America First” agenda, prioritizing strategic acquisitions amid global rivalries.

This announcement revives a controversial chapter from Trump’s first presidency. In August 2019, he publicly suggested buying Greenland from Denmark, citing its geopolitical significance, only to be met with swift dismissal from Danish officials who called the idea “absurd” and emphasized that “Greenland is not for sale.”

The proposal strained U.S.-Danish relations, leading Trump to cancel a planned state visit to Copenhagen. During his 2024 campaign, Trump ramped up rhetoric on Greenland, arguing it was “essential for national security and global freedom.”

Now, in his second term, the creation of a dedicated envoy role signals a more formalized push, potentially leveraging diplomatic and economic pressure.

Jeff Landry, 55, is a conservative firebrand known for his hardline stances on immigration, crime, and energy policy – fitting for Louisiana, a state rich in oil and gas. As Louisiana’s former attorney general (2016-2024), Landry sued the Biden administration over border policies and environmental regulations, aligning closely with Trump’s priorities.

Elected governor in 2023 with Trump’s endorsement, he has implemented controversial measures, including displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools – a move that drew national scrutiny for blurring church-state lines.

Analysts suggest Landry’s selection may stem from his loyalty and experience in resource-heavy industries, mirroring Greenland’s untapped mineral wealth. The role is described as voluntary, allowing Landry to continue governing Louisiana without conflict.

The backlash was swift and unified. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen issued a joint statement: “You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the U.S. shall not take over Greenland.”

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen announced he would summon U.S. Ambassador Kenneth Howery, calling the envoy’s mandate “completely unacceptable.”

Greenland’s Nielsen echoed this on Facebook: “We have woken up again to a new announcement from the U.S. president. This may sound big, but it does not change anything for us. We decide our own future.”

Frederiksen added on Instagram: “It is a difficult situation that our allies for a lifetime are putting us in.”

Mikkel Vedby Rasmussen, a political science professor at the University of Copenhagen, told Reuters: “This appointment shows that all the money Denmark has invested in Greenland, in the defence of the Arctic, and all the friendly things we have said to the Americans, have had no effect at all.”

Denmark has indeed ramped up Arctic investments, announcing a 4.26 billion euro boost to defense in October 2025 to address U.S. criticisms of inadequate security contributions.

Greenland’s strategic allure dates back to World War II, when the U.S. established the Thule Air Base under a 1951 defence agreement with Denmark. Today, its value has surged due to climate change melting Arctic ice, opening new shipping routes and exposing vast reserves of rare earth minerals – critical for electronics, renewable energy, and defence tech.

These resources could help the U.S. reduce dependence on China, which dominates global rare earth production.

Greenland, with a population of about 57,000 mostly Inuit people, gained self-rule in 2009 but relies on Danish subsidies and fishing exports. While it has the right to independence, economic challenges make it unlikely in the near term.

The move comes amid broader U.S. recalibrations in foreign policy, including recalling dozens of ambassadors as part of an “America First” realignment.

As diplomatic tensions simmer, this appointment could test NATO alliances – Denmark is a founding member – and highlight the intensifying scramble for Arctic influence. For Greenlanders, it reinforces a familiar refrain: sovereignty amid superpower interests. For the EU, it’s another test of its capacity to defend a member state this time, from an allied power.

With Reuters, edited by g.g.

Caption: The German Navy replenishment ship FGS Berlin (A1411) visits Nuuk, Greenland, 18 August 2025. The ship arrived in Greenaland to participate in the Atlantic Bear fleet exercise in the North Atlantic. EPA/Christian Klindt Soelbeck