Denmark’s Foreign Minister States Trump Appointing Greenland Envoy Is “Completely Unacceptable”

By Leslie D. Soule

Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump named Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, as special envoy to Greenland – a position newly-created. Many U.S. citizens speculate as to why Trump has decided to focus on Greenland, with him recently stating that it is for matters of national security.

However, this reasoning only makes sense in the context of a broader world war. Unlike Taiwan, a country of strategic importance due to its semiconductor production, Greenland’s military importance is due to its location, which is in the middle of the shortest flight path of missiles from Russia to the U.S. 

Denmark’s foreign ministry has recently created a “night watch” to monitor Trump’s statements toward Greenland, as Greenland is a territory owned by Denmark. This night watch has phones with direct access to top Denmark officials in case the need arises.

Danish foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated in a Facebook post that, “President Trump’s announcement about the appointment of a special envoy to Greenland – and in particular its statements about the purpose hereby – is completely unacceptable.” He then went on to state, “That’s why we are now convening the US ambassador to the Department of State for a discussion.”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen have released a joint statement declaring that, “We have said it before. Now, we say it again. National borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in international law. They are fundamental principles. You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security.”

France’s president Emmanuel Macron has expressed solidarity with Greenland, stating, “Greenland belongs to its people. Denmark stands as its guarantor.”

President of the European Commission (executive body of the EU), Ursula Von Der Leyen, has noted that territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law, and has stated that, “We stand in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland.”