Greenland and Denmark Demand Respect for Their Sovereignty After U.S. Names Jeff Landry Special Envoy

President Donald Trump announced during the weekend the appointment of Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry as the new U.S. special envoy to Greenland, his latest attempt to annex the territory to the United States.

"It's an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S.," Landry wrote on his X account.

Although Trump has repeatedly said the purchase of Greenland is "essential" to U.S. national security, the leaders of Denmark and Greenland reiterated that the U.S. will not take over the territory and demanded respect for their sovereignty following the announcement of Landry's new title, reopening old tensions between the two governments.

"We have said it before. Now, we say it again. National borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in international law," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and her Greenlandic counterpart, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said in a joint statement, as reported by The Associated Press. "They are fundamental principles. You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security."

Trump first floated the idea of the U.S. buying Greenland in 2019. During his latest campaign trail, and weeks before taking over the presidency, he again raised the idea on his Truth Social account, saying, "For purposes of national security and freedom throughout the world, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity."

When announcing Landry's appointment, Trump again emphasized that the decision was based on national security concerns and has not ruled out taking the island by military force, even though Denmark is a NATO ally of the U.S.

"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," Trump said in announcing the appointment.

As noted by The Associated Press, the Danish Defense Intelligence Service said earlier this month in its annual report that the United States is using its economic power to "assert its will" and threatens military force against allies and enemies.

"The United States is leveraging economic power, including threats of high tariffs, to assert its will, and the possibility of employing military force, even against allies, is no longer ruled out," the report said.

As the Trump administration intensifies its efforts toward potential control over Greenland, Prime Minister Nielsen noted that the island has its own democracy and said, "We are happy to cooperate with other countries, including the United States, but this must always take place with respect for us and for our values and wishes."

Concerns from Denmark and Greenland about a potential military campaign are supported by the current U.S. military operations in South American waters.

Since early September, the Trump administration has approved airstrikes against alleged drug trafficking boats in an effort to combat drug cartels in the region. The strikes have so far killed more than 100 people and have also been heavily criticized by lawmakers and human rights groups, who view the attacks as extrajudicial killings.