Danish Foreign Minister Theo Lokke Rasmussen expressed his deep concern on December 22 about US President Donald Trump's appointment of a Greenland special representative.
I am extremely upset about the appointment of special agents. And I am particularly upset with his statements," Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told Danish national broadcaster TV 2.
Mr. Rasmussen said he would summon the US ambassador to Denmark in response to the move of the Donald Trump administration.
Foreign Minister Rasmussen had previously said the new appointment confirmed the USs continued interest in Greenland. However, we emphasize that everyone, including the United States, must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark."
President Donald Trump announced the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special missionary to Greenland in a post on Truth Social on December 22.
Mr. Jeff understands how important Greenland is to national security and will strongly promote the interests of the country for the safety, security and existence of allies, and truly of the whole world, President Donald Trump wrote.
Mr. Trump defended his decision to choose Mr. Landry, emphasizing to the press on the evening of December 22 that the US needs Greenland for national security.
We need Greenland for national security, not for minerals. We have a lot of mines, oil and everything," Trump said.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated his desire to annex Greenland, a large, resource-rich island in the Atlantic Ocean and an autonomous territory of Denmark, citing the need for US security purposes.
Both Greenland and Denmark - a NATO ally of the US, are determined to opposed the idea.
On December 22, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen both reiterated their opposition to the US plan for Greenland. Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland and the US is not allowed to occupy Greenland, the two leaders stated.
Meanwhile, European Union Spokesperson Anouar El Anouni affirmed, protecting the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, sovereignty and the intangible nature of the border are essential for the European Union.
US Vice President J.D. Vance visited the island in March this year, stressing that the US has no choice but to increase its presence in Greenland.
In August, a US special mission to Denmark was summoned by the Danish Foreign Ministry after the country's public broadcaster reported that some Americans had tried to carry out "implementative activities" in Greenland.
