President Trump declared Monday that “we need Greenland” for national security, insisting the territory is essential despite the United States already possessing “more oil than any other country in the world.”
The former president reiterated his stance during remarks at a press conference following his appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as U.S. special envoy to Greenland. “We have to have it,” Trump stated emphatically, noting Russian and Chinese vessels were “all over the place” along Greenland’s coast. He added that Greenland’s strategic location—between North America and Europe—makes it critical for international security, particularly amid heightened U.S., Chinese, and Russian interests in the Arctic as sea lanes open due to climate change.
Landry expressed his commitment to the role in a statement: “Thank you @realDonaldTrump! It’s an honor to serve you 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 announcement sparked immediate backlash from Danish and Greenlandic leaders, who jointly affirmed that “national borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in international law.” Their statement explicitly rejected any notion of U.S. annexation: “You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security.” Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen emphasized: “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders, and territorial integrity must be respected.”
Denmark’s Foreign Affairs Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen condemned the appointment, calling it “completely unacceptable” and vowing to summon U.S. Ambassador Ken Howery to Denmark to “make it clear that some lines are being crossed.”
Greenland’s strategic position—serving as a critical link for missile pathways between Russia and the United States—has drawn growing attention from global powers. Since June 2020, when the U.S. established a consulate in Nuuk, at least three Trump administration officials have been observed in Greenland attempting to identify individuals supportive of closer U.S. ties. Denmark recently summoned the U.S. charge d’affaires after reports of interference efforts in Greenland’s affairs.