23.12.2025 00:05
U.S. President Donald Trump has ignited a new diplomatic crisis with Denmark by appointing a special representative for Greenland, an island he previously expressed interest in annexing. Trump has designated Louisiana's Republican Governor Jeff Landry as the special representative for Greenland, which is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. This move by Trump has caused significant discomfort in Denmark. The Copenhagen government announced that the U.S. Ambassador to Denmark would be summoned to the Foreign Ministry.
US President Donald Trump, who refuses to give up on Greenland, has taken a new step that effectively targets the island despite all objections from Denmark. Trump's appointment of special representative Jeff Landry to make Greenland a part of the United States has turned the already rising tensions in the Arctic into a diplomatic crisis.
VOLUNTEERED FOR THE POSITION
After the appointment, Governor Jeff Landry shared on X account that he took on this role "voluntarily," stating,
"It is an honor for me to work towards making Greenland a part of the United States." Trump said that Landry understands the importance of Greenland for US national security and will advance American interests.
STRONG REACTION FROM COPENHAGEN: AMBASSADOR TO BE SUMMONED
Trump's move has caused great discomfort in Denmark. The Copenhagen administration announced that the US Ambassador to Denmark would be summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen described the appointment as "very annoying," calling on Washington to respect Denmark's sovereignty.
"OUR TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY IS NON-NEGOTIABLE"
Rasmussen stated in an interview with Danish television TV2, "As long as the Kingdom of Denmark, which consists of the Faroe Islands and Greenland, exists, we cannot accept steps that would undermine our territorial integrity."
GREENLAND'S PRIME MINISTER: WE DECIDE OUR FUTURE
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also reacted to the appointment, emphasizing that Greenland is open to cooperation with the US and other countries, but this can only be possible on the basis of mutual respect.
Nielsen stated, "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders. We decide our future."
TRUMP DOES NOT BACK DOWN: USE OF FORCE POSSIBILITY ON THE TABLE
Trump shocked NATO ally Denmark by refusing to rule out the possibility of using force to seize Greenland. This stance is seen as a serious break in relations for Copenhagen, which has maintained close ties with Washington for many years.
STATUS OF GREENLAND
With a population of approximately 57,000, Greenland has had an autonomous government in internal affairs since 1979, while defense and foreign policy remain under Denmark's control.
Although many Greenlanders are open to independence from Denmark, public opinion polls show that the island's population largely opposes being tied to the US.
The debate is taking place during a period of rapidly increasing strategic competition in the Arctic. Melting glaciers are opening new sea route corridors while also facilitating access to rich mineral deposits. For this reason, Greenland holds a key position in the security planning of the US and NATO.
THE US HAS A BASE
The US has had a military base in Greenland since World War II. Vice President JD Vance visited the base in March, calling on the Greenlandic people to reach an agreement with the US.
Washington also reopened the Nuuk Consulate, which it closed in 1953, in 2020 during Trump's first presidential term.