Scenery from Ravnefjeldet, Nanortalik (Southernmost part of Greenland) on a clear December morning. Source: Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
“Very upset” Løkke calls the statements of Trump’s new Greenland envoy “completely, completely unacceptable” and summons the U.S. ambassador for talks.
Denmark is summoning the U.S. ambassador to Denmark, Ken Howery, for a talk at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as soon as possible because American interest in Greenland has flared up again, Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen told TV 2 News.
This comes after the U.S. on Monday night appointed a special envoy to Greenland, which President Donald Trump has previously expressed a desire to take over.
“I am deeply outraged by this appointment and especially the special envoy’s statements, which I find completely unacceptable. The sovereignty of the Kingdom is up to the Kingdom,” Lars Løkke Rasmussen told TV 2 News.
On Monday night, Donald Trump without warning appointed the governor of the state of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland. Landry is aware of how crucial Greenland is to the national security of the United States, Trump said.
“I am pleased to announce that I am appointing the excellent governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland. Jeff understands how crucial Greenland is to our national security, and he will advance our country’s interests for the safety, security and survival of our allies - and indeed the entire world,” Donald Trump wrote.
Appointment Comes On The Anniversary Of Trump’s Announcement
Donald Trump has repeatedly floated the idea that the U.S. should take over Greenland for security reasons. Previously, Trump has not refused to rule out using military force to gain control of Greenland. This has caused a stir because Denmark, Greenland and the United States have been allies for decades.
The statements created international political turmoil and contributed to the fact that relations between the United States and the Kingdom of Denmark were extremely tense for a period. The Danish government has made no secret of the fact that the American president’s interest could quickly flare up again and worsen the relationship. According to Løkke, the interest has always been present in the American administration.
“There has been a bit of silence in the open space, but we have been able to observe that the ambition is still there, and it is completely, completely unacceptable,” says Løkke.
Exactly one year ago, Trump wrote on his social media that the United States “for the sake of national security and freedom throughout the world” felt that “ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.” The Danish government has repeatedly spoken out, and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has called the proposal to buy Greenland “absurd.”
Source: Politiken.dk (in Danish)