US Needs Greenland for National Security, Trump Says; Special Envoy Appointed

Washington, December 23, 2025 — US President Donald Trump has renewed his controversial claim that Greenland is essential to America’s national security, announcing the appointment of a special envoy tasked with advancing US interests in the strategic Arctic territory.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Trump said the United States “needs Greenland for national security,” citing growing Russian and Chinese activity in Arctic waters. He stressed that the issue was not about mineral resources but about safeguarding US and allied security interests. “You look at Greenland’s coastline and you see Russian and Chinese ships everywhere. We need it for national security—we have to have it,” Trump said.
On Sunday, Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy for Greenland, saying Landry would “lead the charge” on the issue. Landry later thanked the president on social media platform X, calling the role an honor and openly endorsing the idea of Greenland becoming part of the United States. He added that the new responsibility would not affect his duties as governor.
The announcement sparked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark and Greenland. In a joint statement, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen reaffirmed that Greenland belongs to its people and cannot be taken over by another country under the pretext of international security.
“Greenland is Greenlanders’,” the statement said. “You cannot occupy another country by citing security concerns. The United States cannot take Greenland.”
Tensions were further heightened after the Trump administration suspended leases for five major offshore wind projects along the US East Coast, including two projects involving Denmark’s state-owned energy company Ørsted—moves widely seen as increasing pressure on Copenhagen.
Greenland, a former Danish colony with a population of about 57,000, gained expanded self-rule under a 2009 agreement that recognizes its right to independence, though it remains economically dependent on fisheries and Danish subsidies.
Strategically located between North America and Europe, Greenland plays a crucial role in the US ballistic missile defense system. Its vast mineral resources have also drawn interest as Washington seeks to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains.
Responding to Trump’s remarks, Greenlandic Prime Minister Nielsen wrote on Facebook that the latest US declaration “sounds big, but changes nothing for us.” He added, “We will decide our own future.”
Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said Copenhagen would summon the US ambassador, calling the appointment of a special envoy openly discussing the takeover of Greenland “completely unacceptable.”
Over the past year, Denmark has sought to strengthen ties with Greenland and enhance Arctic defense cooperation while attempting to ease tensions with Washington. Trump’s latest remarks, however, have once again brought the sensitive issue of Greenland’s sovereignty to the center of international debate.