Anyone who thought that Trump had given up on his plans for Greenland will be disappointed. The US president has appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to the Arctic island. Denmark reacts angrily and calls the move an “absolute provocation”. The appointment threatens to cause a diplomatic crisis within NATO.
Trump is pushing through Greenland ambition again
Landry’s appointment reignites the diplomatic conflict between Washington and Copenhagen. Greenland is a largely self-governing territory within the Danish kingdom. Yet Trump sees the island as an essential part of his security strategy. “Just look at the coast of Greenland. Russian and Chinese ships everywhere. We need this,” he told US media.
According to Trump, Landry should “take the lead” in joining Greenland to the US. The governor said on X: “It is an honor to help make Greenland part of the US in this voluntary role.”
Furious reactions from Denmark and Greenland
The Danish Foreign Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, reacted furiously. “Out of nowhere there is now a special envoy who claims he is tasked with taking over Greenland. That is completely unacceptable.” Rasmussen calls on the American ambassador to explain.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also spoke out strongly. “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders. Our territorial integrity must be respected,” he wrote on Facebook. “We are willing to work together, but always on the basis of respect for our values and wishes.”
NATO under pressure, symbolism as a weapon
According to experts, the appointment of an envoy is mainly symbolic, but that does not make it any less explosive. “This is a direct provocation,” says Henk van der Liet, emeritus professor of Scandinavian Studies. “Greenland is not a conflict zone like Ukraine. Such an appointment puts pressure on the sovereignty of a NATO ally.”
Tensions are rising further because the US on Monday also suspended permits for five wind projects on the American east coast, including two by the Danish Ørsted.
Trump sticks to his plan
It is not the first time that Trump has shown interest in Greenland. During his first term he announced that he wanted to buy the island from Denmark. Then his request was rejected. Yet he remains persistent: “We must have this island, not for the minerals, but for our security.”
Greenland has approximately 57,000 inhabitants and has been able to independently opt for independence since 2009. The question now is not if, but when that will happen.
Source: https://newsbit.nl/trump-benoemt-speciaal-gezant-voor-groenland-we-moeten-dit-eiland-hebben/
