Washington renews call to take over Greenland

WASHINGTON — United States President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated his call to take over Greenland, triggering strong objections from Greenland, Denmark, and the European Union.

"We need Greenland for national security, not for minerals," Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

The claim contrasted with earlier remarks from his administration, which cited a combination of national security concerns, Arctic strategy, and the potential of critical minerals as well as natural resources as drivers of US interest.

On Sunday, Trump announced the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as his special envoy to Greenland, saying: "They say Denmark owns it (Greenland). Denmark has spent no money and has no military protection."

Landry later said on X that his role was "a volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US".

Greenland, a former Danish colony, was granted home rule in 1979. In 2009, Denmark passed the Act on Greenland Self-Government, expanding the island's autonomy in domestic affairs. However, the country retains authority over Greenland's foreign, defense, and security policies.

Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on Monday that he will summon US Ambassador Kenneth Howery over the appointment of Landry.

"I am very upset about this appointment of a special envoy. And I am particularly upset about the envoy's statements, which we find completely unacceptable," Rasmussen told Danish broadcaster TV 2.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and her Greenland counterpart Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a joint statement on Monday that they expect the US to respect their "joint territorial integrity".

"You cannot annex other countries. Not even with an argument about international security. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders, and the US should not take over Greenland," the statement said.

At a news conference on Monday, Anouar El Anouni, the EU foreign affairs spokesman, said, "Preserving the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, its sovereignty, and the inviolability of its borders is essential for the EU."

Xinhua