Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen expressed strong disapproval on 22/12, calling the appointment "completely unacceptable." His remarks followed an announcement by former US President Donald Trump, who named Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy for Greenland, the autonomous Danish island Trump had previously sought to acquire.

Trump announced his decision on social media, stating, "Jeff understands how important Greenland is to national security and will strongly advance the country's interests for the safety, security, and survival of allies and the world. Congratulations Jeff!"

Governor Jeff Landry in Washington in 2022. Photo: AP

Governor Landry responded on X, thanking Trump and expressing that he was "very honored to serve in this position to make Greenland a part of the US." He clarified that this role would not impact his duties as Louisiana Governor.

In response, Foreign Minister Rasmussen stated that the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs would summon the US ambassador in the coming days to seek a clear explanation of the situation.

Greenland, the world's largest island, is located near North America, nestled between the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. The island, an autonomous territory of Denmark, has a population of 57,000 and spans approximately 2,16 million square kilometers, making it larger than Mexico and more than three times the size of the US state of Texas.

Its strategic location on the shortest route from North America to Europe makes it vital for Washington. Furthermore, Greenland possesses abundant, largely untapped mineral resources.

The position of Greenland island compared to the US and Denmark. Graphic: DW

During his previous term, Donald Trump repeatedly expressed his desire for the US to purchase Greenland from Denmark, even suggesting the possibility of using force to achieve this objective.

Polls indicate that most Greenland residents favor independence from Denmark but do not wish to be annexed by the US. The Danish government has consistently affirmed that Greenland is "not for sale" and has criticized previous actions by the Trump administration regarding the island.

By Vu Hoang (Based on AFP, Reuters reports)