President Donald Trump has renewed his assertion that the United States needs Greenland for national security, naming Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to the Arctic island and saying he would “lead the charge” in advancing U.S. interests there.

Speaking to reporters in Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday, Trump said the strategic importance of Greenland — a self-governing territory of Denmark — made U.S. involvement essential. He cited the presence of Russian and Chinese ships along Greenland’s coastline as a key concern, insisting the issue was about security rather than access to minerals.

“We need Greenland for national security,” Trump said. “We have to have it.”

The appointment of Landry, who took office as Louisiana’s governor in January 2024 and has publicly supported the idea of Greenland becoming part of the United States, prompted swift backlash from Danish and Greenlandic leaders. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a joint statement that Greenland belongs to its people and cannot be annexed.

“You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security,” they said.

Landry welcomed the role in a post on X, calling it an honor to serve in a volunteer capacity and reiterating his support for Greenland joining the United States. He said the appointment would not affect his duties as governor.

Greenland, home to about 57,000 people, has the right to declare independence under a 2009 agreement with Denmark but remains economically dependent on fishing and Danish subsidies. Its location between Europe and North America makes it strategically important for U.S. ballistic missile defence, while its mineral wealth has increased Washington’s interest in the region.

Following Trump’s announcement, Greenland’s prime minister said the appointment would not change the island’s future, stressing that Greenlanders alone would decide their path.

Tensions escalated further when Denmark’s foreign minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, said he would summon the U.S. ambassador over the envoy’s remarks, calling the situation “completely unacceptable.” Danish officials have also pointed to recent efforts to strengthen Arctic defence and improve relations with Greenland as signs of their commitment to regional security.

The Trump administration added to the strain on Monday by suspending leases for five major offshore wind projects off the U.S. East Coast, including two being developed by Denmark’s state-controlled energy firm Orsted.