US President Donald Trump reignited a geopolitical firestorm earlier this week, insisting that the United States “needs” Greenland for national security and tapping Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as his special envoy to “lead the charge.”
The proposal, which envisions the US acquiring the vast, mineral-rich Arctic territory, drew swift rebukes from both Denmark and Greenland authorities. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen released a joint statement: “You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.”
Greenland, the world’s largest island, is home to roughly 57,000 residents. Its strategic location between Europe and North America makes it a linchpin for Arctic defense, while its known deposits of rare earth elements and other critical minerals have intensified global interest.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen went further on national television, summoning the US ambassador to Copenhagen after the envoy’s appointment, calling the move “completely unacceptable.”
At the same time, the European Union voiced its support for Denmark and Greenland. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that “territorial integrity and national sovereignty are core principles of international law,” signaling that the EU will stand firmly with its north Atlantic partners.
The announcement also coincided with the Trump administration’s decision to pause leases for five large offshore wind projects off the US East Coast, including developments by Denmark’s state-controlled energy giant Orsted. The move adds fresh pressure on Copenhagen and raises questions about transatlantic cooperation on green energy.
Under a 2009 self-rule agreement, Greenland has the right to pursue full independence, though it remains economically and culturally linked to Denmark. For now, Nuuk makes its own decisions on mining and resource management, even as global powers eye its ice-covered expanses.
As the debate escalates, young global citizens and business leaders are watching closely. Greenland’s future—balancing self-determination, resource wealth, and Arctic security—stands at the crossroads of 21st-century geopolitics.
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Trump says U.S. has to have Greenland, drawing backlash from Europe
cgtn.com
