Denmark has summoned the United States ambassador after Washington escalated its rhetoric over Greenland, following President Donald Trump’s appointment of a special envoy who openly pledged to make the Danish autonomous territory “a part of the US”. The move has triggered sharp diplomatic backlash from Copenhagen, strong expressions of solidarity from the European Union, and renewed concern over stability and sovereignty in the strategically vital Arctic region.
The diplomatic row erupted after Trump on Sunday appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland. Within hours of the announcement, Landry publicly embraced Trump’s long-standing ambition regarding the island, writing on social media platform X that it was “an honour” to serve in a volunteer role “to make Greenland a part of the US”.
Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen reacted with visible anger, calling the appointment and accompanying statements “totally unacceptable”. On Monday, he confirmed that the US ambassador had been summoned to the Danish foreign ministry to provide an explanation, in a meeting attended by a representative of Greenland’s government.
“We summoned the American ambassador to the foreign ministry today for a meeting, together with the Greenlandic representative, where we very clearly drew a red line and also asked for an explanation,” Rasmussen told public broadcaster DR. Speaking earlier to TV2, he said he was “deeply angered” and warned Washington that Denmark’s sovereignty must be respected.
The dispute reflects a sharp intensification of Trump’s rhetoric since returning to the White House in January. The US president has repeatedly stated that the United States “needs” Greenland for national and global security reasons and has refused to rule out the use of force to secure control of the vast Arctic island. His latest comments were reinforced by a post on his Truth Social platform, where he praised Landry for understanding “how essential Greenland is to our national security” and said the envoy would “strongly advance our country’s interests for the safety, security, and survival of our allies, and indeed, the world”.
Greenland and Denmark responded with a rare joint statement by Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, underlining that any suggestion of annexation was unacceptable. “You cannot annex another country,” the statement said. “We expect respect for our joint territorial integrity.”
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Addressing Greenlanders directly in a Facebook post, Nielsen sought to calm domestic concerns while firmly rejecting US claims. “The appointment of a US special envoy has not changed anything for Greenlanders,” he wrote. “We will determine our future ourselves. Greenland is our country.” He added emphatically: “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders.”
The European Union quickly closed ranks behind Denmark. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa stressed that territorial integrity and sovereignty were fundamental principles of international law. “These principles are essential not only for the European Union but for nations around the world,” they said in a joint post on X, adding that the EU stood “in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland”.
Public opinion within Greenland adds another layer of complexity to the dispute. While most of the island’s 57,000 inhabitants favour eventual independence from Denmark, they do not want to become part of the United States. An opinion poll conducted in January showed clear opposition to any form of US takeover, reinforcing statements by both Danish and Greenlandic leaders that the island is “not for sale” and will decide its own future.
Rasmussen said the appointment of a special envoy merely confirmed Washington’s sustained interest in Greenland, but insisted that boundaries must be respected. “However, we insist that everyone – including the US – must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark,” he said.
From Washington’s perspective, Greenland’s strategic importance has only increased as global competition in the Arctic intensifies. Located between North America and Europe, the island sits astride emerging Arctic sea routes as polar ice melts. It also holds significant untapped reserves of rare earth minerals critical for advanced technologies, offering potential economic and strategic advantages over rivals such as China and Russia.
Greenland’s geography further places it along the shortest flight path for intercontinental missiles between Russia and the United States, making it central to early-warning and missile-defence calculations. The US already operates the Pituffik Space Base on the island, a key component of its Arctic and missile-tracking infrastructure, and reopened a consulate in Greenland in June 2020, signalling renewed diplomatic and strategic focus.
Tensions have been simmering for months. In August, Denmark summoned the US chargé d’affaires after several US officials close to Trump were spotted in Greenland’s capital Nuuk, reportedly gauging public sentiment about closer ties with Washington. Copenhagen viewed the visits as provocative and poorly coordinated with Danish and Greenlandic authorities.
Trump’s determination to bring Greenland under US control has stunned Denmark, a close NATO ally that has fought alongside the United States in conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. In response to growing Arctic insecurity, Copenhagen announced a US$2 billion plan in January to strengthen its military presence in the region, including enhanced surveillance and patrol capabilities.
As diplomatic exchanges continue, Denmark and Greenland have drawn a clear line: strategic cooperation is possible, but sovereignty is non-negotiable. The coming weeks are likely to test NATO unity and international norms, as the Arctic once again emerges as a focal point of great-power rivalry.
