Trump Reasserts Push for Greenland, Tensions With Denmark Escalate. President Donald Trump has doubled down on his claim that the United States needs Greenland for national security, saying a newly appointed special envoy will "lead the charge" on the Arctic island. Trump named Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory. Speaking in Florida, Trump said Greenland is critical because of Russian and Chinese ship activity in the region, adding bluntly: "We have to have it.” Denmark and Greenland immediately pushed back. In a joint statement, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said Greenland belongs to Greenlanders and cannot be annexed, even under the banner of security. Landry welcomed the role, calling it an honour and openly backing Greenland becoming part of the US. The dispute has heightened diplomatic tensions, with Denmark summoning the US ambassador and warning Washington to respect sovereignty, as strategic competition in the Arctic continues to grow.