PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. announced the appointment of a special envoy to Greenland, prompting the Kingdom of Denmark to demand respect for its sovereignty.

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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, envoy Jeff Landry, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

📍WHEN & WHERE: December 2025, across the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the U.S. shall not take over Greenland.” – Mette Frederiksen and Jens-Frederik Nielsen

🎯IMPACT: The announcement has reignited tensions between the U.S. and the Danish government over the Trump administration’s interest in taking over Greenland.

President Donald J. Trump’s decision to appoint Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry (R) as a special envoy to Greenland has intensified diplomatic tensions between the United States, and the Kingdom of Denmark. In a joint statement, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen—whose party favors gradual independence from Denmark—stated, “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the U.S. shall not take over Greenland.”

Notably, however, polls suggest a majority of Greelanders support independence from Denmark, but a larger majority do not support breaking away if it means losing the financial support the island receives from Denmark, which accounts for a large share of its economy. Despite Nielsen’s rhetoric against the Trump administration’s interest in acquiring Greenland for the U.S., it is very possible that Greenlanders could be persuaded to vote for some form of protectorate status, provided the U.S. can make them a better offer than Copenhagen.

Greenland, which is majority indigenous rather than ethnic Danish, controls most domestic affairs, while Denmark manages defense and foreign policy. The two, along with the Faroe Islands, comprise the Kingdom of Denmark, also known as the Danish Realm. Home to roughly 57,000 people, the island holds significant strategic value due to its Arctic location, mineral and freshwater resources, and proximity to continental North America, making it an increasing focus of global geopolitical competition.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said he plans to summon the U.S. ambassador to address the present situation, emphasizing that Denmark expects its territorial integrity to be respected.

Reports suggest increased U.S. intelligence and political activity tied to Greenland. Washington has also shifted the island’s military oversight to a U.S. command focused on homeland defense, signaling its importance in American security planning. At the same time, Greenlandic officials have explored broader international partnerships, including closer cooperation with China, which has likely increased the Trump administration’s sense of urgency in securing the island.

The European Union (EU) is supporting Denmark as one of its member states—although Greenland left the bloc in the 1980s following a referendum—stressing the inviolability of its borders.

Image by NordForsk/Terje Heiestad.

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