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| Denmark Blasts Appointment of Special US Envoy for Greenland | | |
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| Denmark reacted angrily Monday to US President Donald Trump’s appointment of a special US envoy for Greenland, summoning the American ambassador in Copenhagen and warning Washington to respect Danish sovereignty amid renewed concerns that the United States is seeking control of the strategic Arctic territory, the Wall Street Journal reported. | On Sunday, Trump announced that Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry would serve as special envoy to the Danish autonomous territory. The new envoy responded on X that it was an honor to take up the voluntary role “to make Greenland a part of the US.” | But Danish officials said Monday they were not informed in advance of the appointment, prompting Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen to summon the US ambassador to demand an explanation. | Rasmussen said he was “deeply angered” and called the move “totally unacceptable.” He said the appointment came “out of nowhere” and warned against undermining Danish sovereignty. | In a joint statement, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen echoed the minister’s comments, stressing that “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.” | Nielsen separately said the appointment “doesn’t change anything for us here at home,” adding that Greenland would determine its own future, CBS News added. | The new appointment underscores an ongoing row between the two allies over the resource-rich territory that is home to roughly 57,000 people. | Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in Greenland since his first term and, since returning to office in January 2025, has said Washington needs the island for security reasons, refusing to rule out the use of force to secure it. | In 2020, Washington opened a consulate in the territory. | Greenland’s location places it between North America and Europe and along the shortest missile routes between Russia and the United States. | Denmark has responded to renewed US attention by boosting its Arctic and North Atlantic defense budget by $6.6 billion this year, including enhanced surveillance with drones, aircraft, and radar. | Copenhagen has also committed an additional $4.5 billion to purchase 16 more US-made F-35 fighter jets, bringing its total fleet to 43, which are used in part to patrol Greenland. | In August, Denmark previously summoned US diplomats after reports of attempted interference in Greenland. | While most of Greenland’s residents favor independence from Denmark, they do not want to become part of the United States, according to an opinion poll earlier this year. |
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