U.S. President Says They Needs Greenland for National Security

Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump.

U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated on Monday that the United States requires Greenland for its national security, stating that a special envoy he has appointed to the Arctic island would “lead the charge”.

President Trump announced on Sunday that Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry would serve as his special envoy to Greenland, a move that has prompted renewed criticism from Denmark and Greenland amid Washington’s interest in the mineral-rich Arctic territory.

The U.S. President has long advocated for Greenland, a self-governing territory under Danish sovereignty, to become part of the United States, citing its strategic importance and natural resources. Landry, who assumed office as governor in January 2024, has publicly expressed support for the proposal.

"We need Greenland for national security, not for minerals ... If you take a look at Greenland, you look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need it for national security. We have to have it," President Trump told reporters in Palm Beach, Florida, adding that Landry wanted to "lead the charge."

Earlier, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a joint statement that Greenland belongs to its people.

"You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security," they said. "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the U.S. shall not take over Greenland."

Landry, in a post on X, thanked Trump: "It's an honour to serve ... in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S. This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!"

The Trump administration increased pressure on Copenhagen on Monday by suspending leases for five major offshore wind projects off the eastern coast of the United States, including two projects being developed by Denmark’s state-controlled energy company Ørsted.

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

Its strategic location between Europe and North America makes it a key site for the United States’ ballistic missile defence system, while its mineral wealth has heightened US interest in reducing reliance on Chinese exports.

Following the announcement of the appointment on Sunday, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen wrote on Facebook: “We have woken up once again to a new announcement from the US president. This may sound significant, but it does not change anything for us. We decide our own future.”

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

“Out of nowhere, there is now a special US presidential representative who, according to his own statements, is tasked with taking over Greenland. This is, of course, completely unacceptable,” Rasmussen told TV2.

Denmark has sought over the past year to repair strained relations with Greenland, while also attempting to ease tensions with the Trump administration by investing in Arctic defence in response to US criticism over inadequate security.

“It is a difficult situation that our allies of a lifetime are putting us in,” Prime Minister Frederiksen said in a post on Instagram.

Source: Reuters




PUKMEDIA