On Sunday, Donald Trump appointed Louisiana politician Jeff Landry as a United States peculiar Envoy for Greenland, pointing out that he would be in charge of the role.
In a post published on social media, the president of the United States wrote that Landry understands the importance of Greenland for our national safety and will powerfully defend our country's interests, ensuring the safety and endurance of our allies, as well as of the full world.
Landry responded to Trump, writing that it was It is an honor to service you in this volunteer position to make Greenland part of the United States..
Tensions
This situation sparked discontent in Copenhagen, which announced a call for the US Ambassador to get explanations. On the another hand, the Prime Minister of Greenland stressed that the island should decide its future itself and its territorial integrity must be respected.
We request Greenland for national safety reasons. Not due to the minerals. We have quite a few minerals and oil and everything. We have more oil than any another country in the world. [...] If you look at Greenland, along the coast there are Russian and Chinese ships everywhere. We request it for national safety reasons. We gotta have her. said Trump in an interview with journalists.
What do the Greenlanders say?
Greenland has had broad autonomy since 1979, but defence and abroad policy issues stay the work of Denmark. According to the BBC, most of the island's inhabitants support the thought of full independence. Public opinion polls besides show clear opposition to the possible accession of Greenland to the United States.
In December it will be 1 year since Donald Trump's first statements, who as president-elect spoke about the request for the island to be taken over by the US. Since then, diplomatic relations between Washington and Copenhagen have deteriorated considerably.
