Donald Trump’s efforts to explore acquiring Greenland have taken a notable step forward with the arrival of his special envoy in the island’s capital. The envoy’s visit underscores the President’s ongoing interest in this Arctic region.
Jeff Landry, the Governor of Louisiana and Trump’s appointed special envoy, arrived in Nuuk on Sunday. His visit is timed with a business conference happening this week, signaling the strategic nature of his trip.
Upon landing, Landry spoke with the Danish media outlet DR. He revealed that he had a conversation with President Trump before setting foot on Greenlandic soil.
“He [Trump] told me to go over there and make as many friends as possible,” Landry recounted, highlighting the President’s directive to foster goodwill.
In response to questions about Trump’s intentions regarding Greenland, Landry clarified, “I’m here to build relationships, listen, and learn. My aim is to explore opportunities that could strengthen ties between Greenland, the United States, and Denmark.”
The Telegraph has reported that Landry, along with other U.S. officials, has engaged in discussions with Danish representatives about the potential establishment of new American military bases on the island.
The US is also seeking veto power over any major investment deals in Greenland to prevent China from getting a foothold in the region, sources told the outlet.
Closed-door negotiations between US, Danish and Greenland officials have focused on allowing American troops to stay on the island indefinitely, cooperation on extracting the island’s rich natural resources like rare earths and oil and the possible re-opening of a Second World War-era US military base on the southern coast.
Louisiana Governor and Donald Trump’s special envoy, Jeff Landry, arrived in Nuuk, Greenland, on Sunday. He told reporters that he was there to ‘make a bunch of friends’
US officials have been meeting with Danish counterparts to increase the US military footprint on the island, the Telegraph reported
Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance tour a US military base in Greenland in March last year. Their tour came amid the President’s push to acquire the island
The negotiators have met at least five times since January, the New York Times reports.
The President has framed his push to acquire the island as a national security imperative, citing Greenland’s strategic position in the Arctic and China’s and Russia’s ambitions to expand their presence in the region.
Northern Command boss General Gregory M Guillot has noted how Greenland could host part of an array of radar stations in the Arctic that includes outposts in Alaska and Canada.
He has also said that the US seeks a deepwater port and a base for US special forces on the island.
In January, Trump said that should his team fail to acquire the territory ‘the easy way,’ he would have to do it ‘the hard way.’
The Republican first floated the idea of bringing Greenland into the US sphere of influence during his first term in 2019.
Since returning to the office, he has repeatedly doubled down on that.
‘We are going to do something in Greenland, whether they like it or not, because if we don’t do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland, and we’re not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor,’ Trump said in January.
Donald Trump Jr poses for a selfie with Jorgen Boassen during a private visit to Nuuk in Greenland in January last year
Landry (right) said that he spoke to President Trump just before landing in Greenland
Landry is scheduled to attend the ‘Future Greenland’ conference from May 19 to May 20.
Kenneth Howery, the US Ambassador to Denmark, is expected to join Landry on the trip. Denmark claims sovereignty over the island with roughly 57,000 residents.
Danish and Greenland officials have rebuffed Trump’s attempts to claim the island, saying the territory is not for sale.
The White House, the Louisiana Governor’s Office and the Danish Ambassador to the US have been contacted for comment.
