Donald Trump takes fresh measures in desperate for US to control Greenland

Bullish Donald Trump has taken fresh steps in his desperate bid to take control of Greenland.

The US President has long insisted the move would help boost international security and, in March, he suggested it would be a simple process for his nation to acquire the territory. However, Mr Trump has since faced a fierce attack from Greenland with its defiant Prime Minister blasting the world leader for his bulling tactics.

Yet now, Mr Trump, 79, has appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry to serve as the US ‌special envoy to Greenland, a measure he believes will represent a huge advance in securing the island. Mr Trump said today: "Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our national security, and will strongly advance our country’s Interests for the safety, security, and survival of our allies, and indeed, the world."

Mr Landry took office as governor in January 2024. His term ends in January 2028. Describing to his new appointment an honour, he expressed his pride on social media.

Mr Trump, in the early months of his return to the White House, repeatedly called for US jurisdiction over Greenland, and has not ruled out military force to take control of the mineral-rich, strategically located Arctic island.

But Greenland, with less than 60,000 residents, is an autonomous territory in the Kingdom of Denmark and holds strategic importance for the Kingdom of Denmark, NATO, and the EU. It is a socially progressive island, where like in Denmark, education and healthcare are free and the island is rich in minerals.

Days after becoming Prime Minister in the spring, former scientist Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said: "President Trump says that the United States 'will get Greenland.' Let me be clear: The United States will not get it. We do not belong to anyone else. We decide our own future."

But then in August, Danish officials summoned the US ambassador following a report that at least three people with connections to Mr Trump had carried out covert influence operations in Greenland.

Earlier this year, Vice President JD Vance visited a remote US military base on the island and accused Denmark of underinvesting there. Mr Trump has said that Greenland is crucial for US security and hasn’t ruled out taking the island by military force, even though Denmark is a NATO ally of the US.

Denmark and Greenland have said the island is not for sale and condemned reports of the US gathering intelligence there. The US push for Greenland is also opposed by Russia and much of Europe. The Denmark Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Landry's appointment.

The Danish Defense Intelligence Service said in a report earlier this month that the United States is using its economic power to “assert its will” and threaten military force against friend and foe alike.