Denmark and Greenland Reject Trump’s “Takeover” Remarks

DID Press: US President Donald Trump said the United States “needs” Greenland for national security, a claim that drew sharp criticism from both Greenlandic and Danish officials.

Speaking to reporters in Florida, Trump said: “We need Greenland for national security. If you look at Greenland, there are Russian and Chinese ships all along the coast. We need it for national security. We have to have it.”

“Greenland is very important,” he added.

These remarks followed Trump appointing Jeff Landry, the governor of Louisiana, as Washington’s special representative for Greenland, describing him as “a great guy” and “a dealmaker.” Trump emphasized: “We need Greenland for national security, not for minerals.”

The comments were met with swift backlash from Copenhagen and Nuuk. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen issued a joint statement: “Greenland belongs to its people. You cannot annex another country. Even under the guise of international security, this cannot be done. Greenland belongs to Greenlanders, and the U.S. cannot take it over.”

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen announced that Copenhagen will summon U.S. Ambassador Kenneth Hovey to explain Landry’s appointment.

Greenlanders approved a self-rule law in a 2008 referendum, which came into effect in June 2009, granting the region greater autonomy while Denmark retained control over foreign policy, defense, and security.