President Donald Trump's newly appointed envoy to Greenland said Tuesday that the administration is looking to begin a conversation with residents of the semi-autonomous Danish territory about the best way forward for the strategically important island.
In his first extended comments since being appointed to the role this week, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said the Trump administration isn't going to "go in there trying to conquer anybody" or try to "to take over anybody's country."
Trump has repeatedly said the territory is crucial for the sake of U.S. security.
"Well, I think our discussions should be with the actual people in Greenland — the Greenlanders," Landry said. "What are they looking for? What opportunities have they not gotten? Why haven't they gotten the protection that they actually deserve?"
Trump's announcement of Landry's appointment has again stirred anxiety in Denmark and Europe. Denmark's foreign minister told Danish broadcasters that he would summon the U.S. ambassador to his ministry.
"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 Monday. "They are fundamental principles. You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security."
Trump called repeatedly for U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland during his presidential transition and in the early months of his second term. In March, Vice President JD Vance visited a U.S. military base in Greenland and accused Denmark of under-investing there.
The issue gradually drifted out of the headlines, but in August, Danish officials summoned the top U.S. diplomat in Copenhagen following a report that at least three people with connections to Trump had carried out covert influence operations in Greenland.
The Trump administration did not offer any warning ahead of the announcement of Landry's appointment, according to a Danish government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
The administration also has yet to provide any details about the appointment to Congress, according to a congressional aide who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
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