Donald Trump blasted by Danish foreign minister after surprising Greenland move

Donald Trump has made no secret of his desire to obtain Greenland (Image: Getty )

A Danish minister has insisted the United States must respect the "territorial integrity" of Greenland in the wake of Donald Trump announcing a surprise appointment which may help pave the way to his dream of seizing the Arctic territory. On Sunday President Trump announced that Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry would ‌become special envoy to Greenland, saying that “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.”

Previously, Trump has made no secret of his desire for the US to take control of Greenland. The world's largest island lies above the North Atlantic in a strategically important position between the United States and Russia. It is also estimated to contain vast mineral wealth locked beneath the ice. The huge landmass, which is mostly covered in glaciers and snow, has a population of just 56,000 and has been administered as an autonomous territory of Denmark since the early 1800s. 

However, since returning to the White House in January this year, Trump has said he wants the United States to take over control of the landmass. He told reporters in January "I think we're going to have it", adding that he believed locals in the country "want to be with us". Vice President JD Vance was also dispatched to Greenland in March, visiting a US military base in the north of the island.

Greenlanders and the Danish administration have resisted US attempts to annexe the territory (Image: Getty )

Despite the American overtures, the Danish and Greenland authorities have remained in-step in their opposition to any Washington takeover. In August, Danish officials summoned the US ambassador following a report that at least three people with connections to Trump had carried out covert influence operations in Greenland. Denmark is a NATO ally of the United States.

Responding to the lastest move of a special envoy being appointed by Trump, the Danish foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said in a brief statement that “the appointment confirms the continued American interest in Greenland.”

He added: "However, we insist that everyone, including the US, must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark."

Reacting to the new position bestowed on him by Trump in relation to Greenland, Governor Landry said on X: "It’s an honor (sic) to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US.”

US Vice President JD Vance travelled to Greenland in March this year (Image: Getty )

Greenland's prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, wrote on Facebook that the country had again woken up to a new announcement from the US president, but it “does not change anything for us at home.”

Nielsen wrote that “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders, and its territorial integrity must be respected.” He said that the territory is happy to cooperate with other nations, but that must always be done with respect for Greenlanders and their values and wishes.

Earlier this month, the Danish Defense Intelligence Service said in an annual report that the US is using its economic power to “assert its will” and threaten military force against friend and foe alike.