COPENHAGEN/BRUSSELS: Denmark said on Monday it would summon the US ambassador after President Donald Trump appointed a special envoy to Greenland who immediately vowed to make the Danish autonomous territory “a part of the US”.

Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly said the US needs the resource-rich Arctic island for security reasons, and has refused to rule out the use of force to secure it.

On Sunday, Trump appointed the governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, as special envoy to Greenland.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Monday he was “deeply angered” by the move and warned Washington to respect Denmark’s sovereignty.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Socia, Trump said Landry “understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country’s Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World.”

US president has even hinted at using force to ‘secure’ the Danish territory

Landry responded directly to Trump in a post on X: “It’s an honour to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US.” The Danish foreign minister told television TV2 the appointment and statements were “totally unacceptable” and said his ministry would call in the US ambassador in the coming days “to get an explanation”.

“As long as we have a kingdom in Denmark that consists of Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland, we cannot accept that there are those who undermine our sovereignty,” he said.

‘Full solidarity’

The EU on Monday said the 27-nation bloc stands in “full solidarity” with member country Denmark after the United States named an envoy for Greenland, which is Danish territory.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a joint statement recalling that “national borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in international law.”

“These principles are essential not only for the European Union, but for nations around the world. We stand in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland,” they said.

“You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security,” they said, adding: “We expect respect for our joint territorial integrity.” In a Facebook post addressed to Greenlanders, Nielsen said the appointment of a special envoy “doesn’t change anything for us here at home”.

“We will determine our future ourselves. Greenland is our country,” he wrote, adding: “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders.” The European Commission on Monday expressed its firm support for Denmark.

“Preserving the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, its sovereignty and the inviolability of its borders is essential for the European Union,” Anouar El Anouni, a spokesman for the bloc’s diplomatic service, told reporters.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2025