Greenland, population 57,000, may declare independence but relies on fishing and Danish subsidies
(L-R) US President Donald Trump and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry attend an event with Hyundai executives in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC March 24, 2025. PHOTO: AFP
US President Donald Trump named Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry on Sunday as his special envoy to Greenland, sparking fresh criticism from Denmark and Greenland over Washington’s interest in the mineral-rich Arctic island.
Trump has supported Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory, becoming part of the United States, citing its strategic importance and mineral resources. Landry, who took office as governor in January 2024, publicly supports the idea.
“You cannot annex another country. Not even on the grounds of international security,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a joint statement. “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the US will not occupy Greenland.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Jeff understands how important Greenland is to our National Security and will vigorously advance our country’s interests in the safety, security and survival of our Allies and indeed the World.”
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Landry, in a post on X, thanked Trump: “I am honored to serve… in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US. This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!”
The Trump administration put further pressure on Copenhagen on Monday when it suspended leases for five large offshore wind projects being built off the US East Coast, including two being developed by Denmark’s state-controlled Orsted.
Strategic value of Greenland
Greenland, a former Danish colony with a population of about 57,000, has the right to declare independence under a 2009 agreement, but remains heavily dependent on fishing and Danish subsidies.
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Its strategic location between Europe and North America makes it a key point for the US ballistic missile defense system, while its mineral wealth has increased US interest in reducing dependence on Chinese exports.
Greenland’s Nielsen commented on Facebook: “We woke up again to a new announcement from the US president. This may sound big, but it changes nothing for us. We decide our future.”
Diplomatic tensions are escalating
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said on Monday he would call on US Ambassador Kenneth Howery, who pledged “mutual respect” during a recent visit to Greenland.
“Out of nowhere, there is now a special US presidential representative who, according to him, is tasked with taking over Greenland. This is, of course, completely unacceptable,” Rasmussen told TV2.
Denmark has sought to mend strained ties with Greenland over the past year, while trying to ease tensions with the Trump administration by investing in Arctic defense to counter US criticism of insufficient security.
“It’s a difficult situation that our allies are putting us in for life,” Prime Minister Frederiksen said in an Instagram post.
Mikkel Vedby Rasmussen, a professor of political science at the University of Copenhagen, told Reuters: “This appointment shows that all the money Denmark has invested in Greenland, to defend the Arctic, and all the friendly things we have said to the Americans, have had no effect.”
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