Denmark has taken diplomatic action this week after former U.S. President Donald Trump appointed a special envoy to Greenland, sparking fresh Arctic tensions. The Danish foreign ministry will summon America's ambassador following Trump's controversial pick of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry for the role – a move Landry described on social media as working to "make Greenland a part of the United States."
🔥 Why It Matters: Greenland remains a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen handling its defense and foreign affairs. The island's strategic Arctic location and rare mineral resources have long attracted international interest.
🇩🇰 Danish PM Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen delivered a joint rebuke: "You cannot annex other countries… We expect respect for our common territorial integrity." Nearly 85% of Greenland residents opposed joining the U.S. in a January 2025 poll.
❄️ Arctic Chess Game: Trump first floated buying Greenland in 2019 during his presidency, calling it "a real estate deal." His renewed push comes as climate change opens new shipping routes and resource opportunities in the rapidly warming region.
📌 What's Next: While Landry claims his envoy role won't interfere with Louisiana governance, the appointment has already chilled U.S.-Denmark relations. With Arctic competition heating up faster than polar ice melts, this frosty diplomatic standoff shows no signs of thawing soon.
