POWER PLAY REJECTED: TRUMP’S GREENLAND GAMBIT MEETS A PUBLIC WALL

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump has once again thrust Greenland into the center of international debate, reigniting diplomatic tensions with Denmark and drawing sharp reactions from European leaders, after announcing a new and unusually provocative step involving the strategically important Arctic territory.

Over the weekend, Mr. Trump said he would appoint Jeff Landry, the Republican governor of Louisiana, as a special United States envoy to Greenland. The announcement immediately raised alarms in Copenhagen and Nuuk, the island’s capital, particularly after Mr. Landry suggested that his role could help bring Greenland closer to becoming part of the United States.

Danish officials responded swiftly and sharply. Denmark’s foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, said he was “deeply upset” by the remarks and described the move as unacceptable. He confirmed that Denmark planned to summon the American ambassador — a formal diplomatic rebuke rarely used among close allies.

Greenland, the world’s largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. While it manages most of its domestic affairs, Denmark retains control over defense and foreign policy. Both governments have repeatedly and unequivocally rejected any suggestion that Greenland could be sold, annexed, or otherwise absorbed by another country.

Greenland’s prime minister reiterated that position, stating that the island alone would decide its future. Denmark’s prime minister went further, saying that no country could annex another under the pretext of security concerns — a comment widely interpreted as a direct response to Mr. Trump’s long-standing arguments.

This is not the first time Mr. Trump has expressed interest in Greenland. During his presidency, he openly floated the idea of purchasing the island, citing its strategic importance in the Arctic, rich mineral resources, and location amid growing competition with Russia and China. The proposal was met with disbelief at the time and was dismissed outright by Danish leaders, prompting a brief but tense diplomatic standoff.

What distinguishes the current episode is its escalation. By appointing a political envoy and allowing rhetoric about annexation to circulate unchecked, Mr. Trump has moved beyond speculative comments and into the realm of concrete diplomatic action. European officials say that shift has raised concerns not only about sovereignty, but also about the stability of alliances.

The reaction has extended beyond Denmark. Officials in Brussels signaled that the European Union views Denmark’s territorial integrity as non-negotiable, a reminder that Greenland’s status is intertwined with broader European security considerations. Denmark is a founding member of NATO, and any perceived threat to its territory carries implications for the alliance.

Some European diplomats privately expressed concern that Mr. Trump’s actions risk undermining trust within NATO at a time when unity is already strained by conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Publicly questioning the borders of an ally, they argue, introduces uncertainty into an alliance built on mutual defense and shared norms.

In Washington, the move has also stirred debate. Critics say the appointment reflects a pattern in Mr. Trump’s foreign policy approach — one that favors personal loyalty, dramatic gestures, and confrontational rhetoric over conventional diplomacy. Supporters, however, argue that Greenland’s strategic value justifies a more assertive posture, particularly as Arctic shipping routes open and competition in the region intensifies.

Still, even some Republicans have expressed unease. Former Trump voters interviewed in recent weeks have described feeling disillusioned by what they see as impulsive decision-making and a disregard for long-standing alliances. Several have said they supported Mr. Trump for his economic policies but did not expect repeated diplomatic clashes with close partners.

For Denmark and Greenland, the episode has reinforced longstanding concerns about being drawn into American domestic politics. Greenlandic leaders have emphasized their desire to balance economic development, environmental protection, and autonomy without becoming a geopolitical bargaining chip.

As of now, no formal negotiations or proposals regarding Greenland’s status exist. But European officials warn that words alone can have consequences. Even symbolic gestures, they say, can unsettle markets, strain alliances, and embolden adversaries watching closely for signs of division.

Whether Mr. Trump’s latest move is a calculated signal or another instance of rhetorical brinkmanship remains unclear. What is clear is that Greenland — a territory of just 56,000 people — has once again become a flashpoint in global politics, not because of its own actions, but because of renewed interest from a former American president whose statements continue to reverberate far beyond U.S. borders.