Trump Names Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry Special Envoy To Greenland
1 day ago
President Donald Trump has named Louisiana’s governor, Jeff Landry, as a special envoy to Greenland.
It follows Trump's calls for Greenland to become part of the United States, even though it belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark.
Landry’s appointment quickly drew fresh fire from the prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland.
They said in a joint statement that, quote, “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."
Speaking via video link to Denmark's TV2, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said he would summon the U.S. ambassador to Denmark.
"We thought that we now had a U.S. ambassador in Denmark, with whom we would have a relationship throughout the Kingdom. I think we have already developed a good working relationship, and it is also my impression that the ambassador has that opinion. Out of nowhere, there is now a special U.S. presidential representative, who, according to himself, is tasked with taking over Greenland. This is, of course, completely unacceptable."
Trump has cited Greenland’s strategic importance and rare earth mineral resources as why he wants it, and Landry publicly supports the idea of U.S. control.
Landry thanked Trump in a social media post, calling it a “volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S.”
Greenland is a former Danish colony that has the right to declare independence from the Kingdom of Denmark, but heavily relies on fishing and Danish subsidies.
The U.S. already operates a ballistic missile defense system site there and has voiced interest in expanding its military presence.
That includes placing radars to monitor the waters nearby, a gateway for Russian navy vessels and nuclear submarines.
In October, Denmark tried to answer U.S. criticism that it has neglected Greenland's defense capabilities, which Denmark agrees it has, by pledging billions in military spending for its presence there and plans to buy 16 new F-35 jets.
It follows Trump's calls for Greenland to become part of the United States, even though it belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark.
Landry’s appointment quickly drew fresh fire from the prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland.
They said in a joint statement that, quote, “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."
Speaking via video link to Denmark's TV2, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said he would summon the U.S. ambassador to Denmark.
"We thought that we now had a U.S. ambassador in Denmark, with whom we would have a relationship throughout the Kingdom. I think we have already developed a good working relationship, and it is also my impression that the ambassador has that opinion. Out of nowhere, there is now a special U.S. presidential representative, who, according to himself, is tasked with taking over Greenland. This is, of course, completely unacceptable."
Trump has cited Greenland’s strategic importance and rare earth mineral resources as why he wants it, and Landry publicly supports the idea of U.S. control.
Landry thanked Trump in a social media post, calling it a “volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S.”
Greenland is a former Danish colony that has the right to declare independence from the Kingdom of Denmark, but heavily relies on fishing and Danish subsidies.
The U.S. already operates a ballistic missile defense system site there and has voiced interest in expanding its military presence.
That includes placing radars to monitor the waters nearby, a gateway for Russian navy vessels and nuclear submarines.
In October, Denmark tried to answer U.S. criticism that it has neglected Greenland's defense capabilities, which Denmark agrees it has, by pledging billions in military spending for its presence there and plans to buy 16 new F-35 jets.
