Denmark has sharply criticised the United States after President Donald Trump announced the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as Washington’s special envoy to Greenland. Copenhagen said it will summon the U.S. ambassador to explain the controversial move, which Danish leaders view as undermining the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and stirring geopolitical tensions over the vast Arctic island.
Denmark Demands Explanation Over Greenland Envoy Appointment
The Danish Foreign Ministry confirmed on Monday that it will call in U.S. Ambassador Kenneth A. Howery to discuss what officials described as an unacceptable diplomatic action by Washington. The envoy appointment came directly from President Trump, who has repeatedly stressed Greenland’s strategic importance for security and access to natural resources.
Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen expressed profound concern, saying Denmark insists all nations, including the United States, must respect the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark, which includes Greenland. Danish leaders argued that appointing a special envoy to a territory already covered by regular diplomatic channels with Denmark is both unnecessary and provocative.
Political and Regional Backlash
Governor Jeff Landry, appointed by Trump, has publicly stated his aim of strengthening U.S. interests in Greenland, even suggesting the possibility of the island becoming part of the United States — a position that has alarmed Copenhagen and Nuuk alike. Landry described the role as a voluntary position that he will carry out alongside his duties as Louisiana’s governor.
Greenlandic leaders reaffirmed their desire to decide their own future, rejecting any suggestion that the territory might be transferred or absorbed by another country. The diplomatic protest marks yet another flashpoint in ongoing debates over Arctic influence, where strategic positioning and emerging shipping routes have attracted heightened global attention.
International Support for Danish Sovereignty
Denmark’s position received backing from the European Union, which reiterated the importance of respecting national borders and territorial integrity. EU officials highlighted that Arctic autonomy and collaboration must be grounded in mutual respect among allied nations.
The episode underscores friction between Copenhagen and Washington over diplomatic norms and Arctic geopolitics. As climate change opens northern sea routes and intensifies competition, Greenland’s role as a strategically located region has put it at the centre of complex international discourse.
