US President Donald Trump has appointed a special envoy to Greenland, drawing renewed criticism from Denmark and the territory’s leader over Washington’s interest in the mineral-rich Arctic island.

Mr Trump has advocated for Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory, to become part of the United States, citing its strategic importance and mineral resources.

He named Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland on Sunday, local time.

The move drew a sharp rebuke from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Mette Frederiksen

Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Mette Frederiksen have hit out at Washington’s attempts to “take over” Greenland.  (Reuters: Ritzau Scanpix/Mads Claus Rasmussen)

“You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security,” the two leaders said in a joint statement.

“Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the US shall not take over Greenland.”

In a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump wrote: “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.”

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A man wearing a white blazer and blue shirt talks to another man, with a woman standing with them

Donald Trump has appointed Jeff Landry as the US special envoy to Greenland. (Reuters: Kathleen Flynn)

Mr Landry, who took office as governor in January 2024, thanked Mr Trump in a post on X.

“It’s an honor to serve … in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US. This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!” he wrote.

The Trump administration put further pressure on Copenhagen on Monday, when it suspended leases for five large offshore wind projects being built off the east coast of the US, including two being developed by Denmark’s state-controlled Orsted.

Greenland’s strategic value

Greenland, a former Danish colony with a population of about 57,000, has the right to declare independence under a 2009 agreement but it remains heavily reliant on fishing and Danish subsidies.

Its strategic position between Europe and North America makes it a key site for the US ballistic missile defence system, while its mineral wealth has sparked US interest as Washington seeks to reduce its reliance on Chinese exports.

Trump is obsessed with Greenland. Here is why

Donald Trump has been calling for America to take over Greenland, which the Danish PM has rejected. Here is what we know. 

Mr Nielsen commented on Facebook: “We have woken up again to a new announcement from the US president. This may sound big, but it does not change anything for us. We decide our own future.”

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on Monday he would summon US ambassador Kenneth Howery, who had pledged “mutual respect” during a recent visit to Greenland.

“Out of nowhere, there is now a special US presidential representative, who, according to himself, is tasked with taking over Greenland,” Mr Rasmussen told TV2.

“This is, of course, completely unacceptable.”

Denmark has sought to repair strained ties with Greenland over the past year, while also trying to ease tensions with the Trump administration by investing in Arctic defence to address US criticisms about inadequate security.

“It is a difficult situation that our allies for a lifetime are putting us in,” Ms Frederiksen said in an Instagram post.

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.”

Reuters