August M
Denmark has moved to confront the United States diplomatically after a new appointment by President Donald Trump reignited tensions over Greenland’s future. Copenhagen says the decision challenges Danish sovereignty and risks escalating an already sensitive dispute.
The Danish foreign ministry confirmed it would summon the US ambassador for an explanation.
Public backlash
According to Al Jazeera, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said he was “deeply angered” by Trump’s appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland. Rasmussen said remarks made by Landry after accepting the role crossed a red line.
Landry wrote in a public post that he was honoured to serve in a position aimed at “mak[ing] Greenland a part of the US”. Rasmussen called the language “totally unacceptable” and said Denmark expected respect from its NATO ally.
What Greenlanders want
The diplomatic row comes despite clear signals from Greenland’s population about their future. A January opinion poll found that most of the island’s 57,000 residents favour independence from Denmark, but do not want to become part of the United States.
Both the Danish government and Greenland’s leadership have repeatedly stated that the Arctic territory is not for sale and that its status can only be decided by Greenlanders themselves.
Strategic claims
Trump has repeatedly argued that Greenland is vital to US national security because of its location and natural resources. He has refused to rule out the use of military force to take control of the island, saying in March that the US would “go as far as we have to”.
Despite Denmark’s close alliance with Washington, those remarks have strained relations, with Copenhagen warning that such rhetoric undermines international norms.
Appointment defended
Trump announced Landry’s appointment on Sunday, saying on his Truth Social platform that the Louisiana governor “understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country’s Interests”.
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said the decision “doesn’t change anything for us here at home,” but acknowledged that it added to simmering tensions between Denmark and the US, notes Al Jazeera.
A pattern of strain
This is not the first diplomatic clash over Greenland. In August, Denmark summoned the US chargé d’affaires following media reports of a covert American influence campaign on the island.
Earlier this month, Denmark’s Defence Intelligence Service warned that the US was increasingly using economic pressure and threats of force to “assert its will” against allies and adversaries alike.
Sources: Al Jazeera
