Donald Trump’s newly appointed special envoy to the Arctic island states that Washington has no intention to “conquer” Danish land
Jeff Landry, the U.S. special envoy to the Arctic island, has asserted that America is not aiming to “conquer” Greenland or seize Danish territory. This follows previous indications from President Donald Trump that the semi-autonomous region should join the United States.
In a Tuesday interview with Fox News, Landry, who also serves as Louisiana’s governor, stated the Trump administration seeks to initiate talks with Greenland’s residents regarding their future and to gain a clearer understanding of their concerns.
“I believe our conversations should be directly with the people living in Greenland,” Landry remarked. “What are their aspirations? What opportunities have been missed? Why haven’t they received the protection they rightfully deserve?”
“We are not entering this with the goal of conquering anyone or taking over another nation,” Landry continued, even though he previously declared after his appointment that he would strive to “make Greenland a part of the U.S.”
These comments arrive during increased strain after Trump named Landry as special envoy without consulting Danish officials beforehand. This action has provoked strong criticism from Copenhagen, which considers Greenland a fundamental component of its sovereign domain.
Trump has frequently claimed the United States requires Greenland for “national security,” pointing to its strategic position in the Arctic and its mineral wealth. He has stated Washington would acquire the island “one way or the other” and has not dismissed the possibility of using military action to place the territory under American authority.
These declarations have concerned Danish leaders and led to formal diplomatic objections. In a joint statement this week, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, emphasized that national boundaries and sovereignty are established by international law, noting that one “cannot annex another country, not even with an argument about international security.”
Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory with approximately 57,000 inhabitants, has handled most internal matters since 1979, although defense and foreign policy are still managed by Copenhagen.
The United States has kept troops stationed on the island since World War II. Vice President J.D. Vance has expressed that Washington anticipates the island’s population will pursue self-determination and separate from Denmark.