US President Donald Trump reiterated his desire to place Greenland under US control on Monday, following the announcement of plans to appoint Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to the Arctic island.
Trump stressed the move was important for national security reasons, describing Landry as an experienced negotiator who could help realize his vision for Greenland.
According to Trump, the presence of Russian and Chinese ships around Greenlandic waters is one of Washington's main concerns.
However, he stressed that US interest in the island is not driven by energy or mineral reserves, but rather by concerns about the region's security.
Trump also questioned Denmark's commitment to defending Greenland, claiming that the country does not allocate sufficient military spending to protect the island.
Greenland is an autonomous territory under Denmark, with its own government and parliament.
Trump's interest in Greenland is not new.
The idea of buying the territory from Denmark has been mooted for six years, but the issue has resurfaced in his second term.
During this period, several senior US officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, have been sent to Greenland, while Donald Trump Jr. also visited the island in January before Trump was sworn in for a second term.
Washington's attention to Greenland has sparked concerns among locals and the Danish government.
The Danish Defense Intelligence Service recently described the US for the first time as a potential security risk, referring to its use of economic and technological power as a tool of influence over allies and adversaries.
In a related development, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated the European Union's full support for Denmark and the people of Greenland.
She stressed that Arctic security remains a top priority for the EU, while also reiterating the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty as fundamental to international law that all countries must respect.
