Donald Trump’s new special ambassador to the Arctic island says Washington is not seeking to “conquer” Danish territory
The US is not seeking to “conquer” Greenland or take over Danish territory, Washington’s new special envoy to the Arctic island, Jeff Landry, has said. President Donald Trump had previously signaled that the semi-autonomous territory should become part of the US.
Speaking to Fox News on Tuesday, Landry, who is also the governor of Louisiana, said the Trump administration wants to begin discussions with Greenlanders about their future and better understand their issues.
“I think our discussions should be with the actual people in Greenland,” Landry said. “What are they looking for? What opportunities have they not gotten? Why haven’t they gotten the protection that they actually deserve?”
“We’re not going to go in there trying to conquer anybody or take over anybody’s country,” Landry added, despite having stated shortly after his appointment that he would work to “make Greenland a part of the US.”
Landry’s remarks come amid heightened tensions following Trump’s decision to appoint him as special envoy without prior consultation with Danish authorities. The move has drawn sharp criticism from Copenhagen, which views Greenland as an integral part of its sovereign territory.
Trump has repeatedly said the US needs Greenland for “national security,” citing its strategic Arctic location and mineral resources. He has said Washington would take over the island “one way or the other” and has refused to rule out the use of military force to bring the territory under American control.
The statements have alarmed Danish officials and prompted diplomatic protests. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and her Greenland counterpart, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, stressed in a joint statement this week that national borders and state sovereignty are grounded in international law and that someone “cannot annex another country, not even with an argument about international security.”
Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory of about 57,000 people, has managed most domestic affairs since 1979, while defense and foreign policy remain under Copenhagen’s control.
The US has maintained a military presence on the island since World War II. Vice President J.D. Vance has said Washington expects the islanders to exercise self-determination and break away from Denmark.
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