Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said on Monday that US President Donald Trump's decision to appoint Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland indicates continued US interest in the Arctic island. US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he will appoint Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special US envoy to Greenland, the vast autonomous territory belonging to Denmark, which Trump said the United States needs to acquire. Trump said in his announcement of the appointment: 'Jeff understands the importance of Greenland to our national security, and he will work diligently to advance our country's interests for the security, well-being, and survival of our allies, and indeed the world.' Trump had repeatedly called in the early months of his return to the White House to impose US jurisdiction over Greenland and did not rule out using military force to control the mineral-rich, strategically located island. The issue had been out of the headlines in recent months, but last August Danish officials summoned the US ambassador following a report that at least three individuals with ties to Trump had conducted secret influence operations in Greenland. Earlier this year, Vice President JD Vance visited a remote US military base on the island and accused Denmark of cutting investment there. Trump said Greenland is critical to US national security and did not rule out taking the island by military force, despite Denmark being a US ally in NATO. Landry took office as governor of Louisiana in January 2024, and his term ends in January 2028. Rasmussen added in a statement sent via email: 'This appointment confirms continued US interest in Greenland. However, we insist that everyone, including the United States, must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.'
