Washington, DC: Arguing that Greenland is vital to American national security, President Donald Trump has stated that a newly appointed special envoy will lead the effort to advance US interests in the Arctic island.
Trump’s remarks came a day after he named Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as his special envoy to Greenland, a move that has reignited criticism from Denmark and Greenlandic leaders, who have repeatedly rejected Washington’s ambitions.
“We need Greenland for national security, not for minerals,” Trump told reporters in Palm Beach, Florida. “If you take a look at Greenland, you look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need it for national security. We have to have it.”
Greenland is a self-governing territory in the Kingdom of Denmark. Landry said that his country is looking to begin a conversation with residents of Greenland about the best way forward for the strategically important island.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a joint statement, "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the US shall not take over Greenland. We expect respect for our joint territorial integrity."
