Denmark and Greenland firmly rejected any suggestion that the United States could take control of Greenland on Monday, demanding respect for their territorial integrity after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the appointment of a special envoy to the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

The announcement, in which Trump named Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as U.S. special envoy to Greenland, reignited tensions over Washington’s long-standing interest in the vast, mineral-rich Arctic island, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and a fellow NATO ally.

Speaking during an event announcing new U.S. warships, Trump said the United States “needs” Greenland for national security purposes and suggested that Landry would play a leading role in advancing that objective.

“We have to have it and he wanted to lead the charge,” Trump said.

The remarks drew a swift and coordinated response from Copenhagen and Nuuk. In a joint statement, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen rejected any notion of U.S. control over the territory.

“We have said it before. Now, we say it again. National borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in international law,” the statement said. “They are fundamental principles. You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security.”

“Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the U.S. shall not take over Greenland,” the leaders added, stressing that they expect respect for their “joint territorial integrity.”

Denmark’s foreign minister announced that the U.S. ambassador in Copenhagen would be summoned in response to the latest developments. Danish officials described the situation as part of an unprecedented effort by figures close to Trump to exert influence over Greenland, including allegations of covert operations on the island.

Trump has repeatedly called for U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland since his presidential transition and early months of his second term, and he has previously refused to rule out the use of military force to secure control of the strategically located Arctic territory.

In March, U.S. Vice President JD Vance visited a remote American military base in Greenland, accusing Denmark of under-investing in the island’s defense infrastructure. Although the issue later faded from headlines, it resurfaced in August when Danish authorities summoned the top U.S. diplomat after reports that individuals linked to Trump had carried out secret influence operations in Greenland.

On Sunday, Trump formally announced Landry’s appointment, writing on social media that the Louisiana governor “understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security” and would advance U.S. interests “for the safety, security, and survival of our allies, and indeed, the world.”

Landry, in a social media post of his own, said it was “an honor” to serve in the role and referred to efforts “to make Greenland a part of the U.S.,” further inflaming tensions.

According to a Danish government official, the Trump administration provided no advance warning to Copenhagen before making the announcement.

The White House defended the move, with Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly saying Trump created the special envoy position because Greenland is viewed as “a strategically important location in the Arctic for maintaining peace through strength.”

Greenland’s prime minister sought to downplay the impact of the announcement, saying in a statement that while the move “may sound significant,” it “changes nothing for us here at home.”

Earlier this month, Denmark’s Defence Intelligence Service warned in its annual report that the United States has increasingly used economic pressure and threats of military force to “assert its will” internationally.

The controversy has also drawn European support for Denmark and Greenland. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Arctic security is a key priority for the European Union and emphasized that “territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law.”

“We stand in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland,” she said.             

Denmark is a member of both the European Union and NATO, and officials in Copenhagen have warned that continued U.S. rhetoric risks straining relations among allies at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions in the Arctic. (ILKHA)