In a move that has reignited a longstanding geopolitical controversy, former US President Donald Trump has appointed a special envoy to Greenland as part of a renewed effort to pursue the territory's acquisition. The appointment signals a serious, and deeply contentious, push to bring the vast, resource-rich Arctic island under American control.
The Envoy and the Escalating Tension
Jeff Landry, the Republican Governor of Louisiana, has been tasked with "leading the charge" as the appointed special envoy to Greenland. This semi-autonomous territory, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, has found itself once again at the centre of Trump's expansionist ambitions. The former president has publicly stated that the United States needs Greenland for "national protection," emphatically adding, "We have to have it."
The reaction from Copenhagen and Nuuk was swift and firm. The Danish government is set to call in the US ambassador for what it termed "an explanation." In a powerful joint statement, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Prime Minister, Múte Egede, demanded respect for their sovereignty. "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders, and the US should not take over Greenland," they declared, stressing that national borders are rooted in international law.
Why Greenland? Strategy, Resources, and Rivalry
The world's largest island, with a population of just 57,000, holds immense strategic value. Its geographic position in the Arctic and its untapped mineral wealth—including uranium, iron ore, and fossil fuels—make it a prize for global powers. Trump is not the first US leader to covet it; attempts to purchase Greenland were made in 1846 and again in 1946 during the early Cold War.
While those bids failed, the US maintained a strategic foothold. The Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) remains a critical US installation, equipped with radar to detect ballistic missiles. The recent melting of Arctic ice is opening new waterways and easing access to resources, heightening the island's importance. Concurrently, rising tensions with Russia and increased Chinese investment interest in the region have sharpened Washington's focus on securing its Arctic interests.
Alarmingly, Trump has refused to rule out using military force to secure the territory, a stance that has shocked Denmark, a longstanding NATO ally.
Fierce Opposition and Legal Hurdles
The people of Greenland have expressed overwhelming opposition to joining the United States, with polls suggesting around 85% are against the idea. Prime Minister Múte Egede criticised the recent visit by US officials, including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, as a power play meant to fuel American belief in Trump's mission.
Legally and politically, the path to annexation is fraught. Greenland, while self-governing in domestic affairs, has its foreign and security policy managed by Denmark. Any attempt to seize it by force would trigger NATO's Article 5 collective defence clause, as an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. Furthermore, a bill introduced in the US Congress—the "Red, White, and Blueland Act of 2025"—which seeks to authorise negotiations and rename the territory, faces significant legislative hurdles and has been met with derision by Danish leaders.
Prime Minister Frederiksen has been unequivocal: "Greenland is not for sale." She emphasised that Greenland is for the Greenlandic people, a proud nation with its own language and culture. As the international community watches, this latest chapter underscores the fragile balance of power in the rapidly changing Arctic and the potent legacy of Trump's "America First" geopolitics.
