Denmark has summoned the U.S. ambassador following President Donald Trump's controversial appointment of a special envoy to Greenland, escalating tensions over the resource-rich Arctic territory. The move, announced on December 23, 2025, comes after Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry vowed to make Greenland "a part of the U.S." in a social media post accepting the envoy role.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen condemned the appointment as "totally unacceptable," emphasizing that Greenland remains an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark. "We cannot accept those who undermine our sovereignty," he told TV2, adding that the U.S. ambassador would be summoned for clarification.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to international law: "You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security." Nielsen separately assured Greenlanders via Facebook that "Greenland belongs to Greenlanders."
The European Union backed Denmark's position, with EU spokesperson Anouar El Anouni stating: "Preserving the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark is essential for the European Union."
This diplomatic clash follows Trump's renewed focus on Greenland's strategic value since returning to office in January 2025. The U.S. maintains the Pituffik military base in Greenland, a critical node in missile defense systems, and has shown growing interest in Arctic resources and shipping routes.
While 57,000 Greenlanders broadly seek independence from Denmark, recent polls show no appetite for U.S. annexation. The dispute highlights escalating Arctic geopolitics as climate change reshapes global trade routes and resource competition intensifies.
