Discontent in Greenland over the Trumpist expedition to the island

On his own initiative and without being invited by anyone, the United States special envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, landed on the Arctic island this week for the first time on a visit that has caused much controversy and during which the American delegation was received rather coolly.The also governor of Louisiana, considered a figure very close to President Donald Trump, attended an economic forum where no one expected him. He also met with the Greenlandic Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and with the head of international relations of the autonomous government, Múte B. Egede, with the intention “to build relationships and make new friends”, as Landy pointed out upon arriving in Nuuk.After three days of unofficial visit, journalists have asked the Republican politician if the US still plans to conquer the Arctic island, as Trump stated in January. Landry's response was: “Greenland was not on the map until Trump put it there”. The Washington envoy also said that his administration's desire is “to bring opportunities to Greenland”. "This is my job, here", he said.Chocolate chip cookies and MAGA hats

One of the moments from Jeff Landry's visit that has gone viral on social media was the politician handing out chocolate coins to children on the streets of Nuuk. "If you come to the Louisiana governor's mansion, you can eat as many chocolate cookies as you want," he is seen saying in a video captured by Danish public television DR. Landry also arrived in the Arctic capital with a load of red caps with the Trumpist slogan “Make America great again”, which he has been handing out during his visits.This attitude has caused great unease among Greenlandic authorities, even though since Trump's victory in the US presidential elections in November 2024, they have had to get used to the parade of visitors from Trump's circle on the island: first Trump Jr. and the ultra-conservative activist Charlie Kirk – who made a quick visit in January 2025 – and later the vice president, J.D. Vance, and his wife, who visited the Pituffik military base.After meeting with Landry, Prime Minister Nielsen stated that his government's rejection to be part of the USAAfter meeting with Landry, Prime Minister Nielsen stated that One of the aspects that has most irritated the Greenlandic government is that a doctor traveled with the American delegation with the task of getting to know the country's healthcare system firsthand. This has not pleased the Greenlandic Minister of Health, Anna Wangenheim, at all, after her government had already rejected a few months ago the sending of a US hospital ship to Nuuk under the pretext of helping to face the challenges of the country's healthcare system: A change of US strategy

Several members of the Greenlandic Parliament have also stated that they have received invitations to events organized by the North American delegation, even though many have declined to attend. Most notably, the inauguration this Wednesday of the new US consulate in Nuuk, which Prime Minister Egede did not attend.For the researcher in foreign policy and diplomacy at the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS), Mikkel Runge Olesen, the visit signifies a change in Washington's strategy, as “since January they have set aside the option of using military force to take control of Greenland and they only have one option left: to convince the Greenlandic people that it is a good idea to be part of the United States, even though the strategy has not been going very well for them so far.”The visit of Trump's envoy occurs while discreet negotiations are underway between Washington, Copenhagen, and Nuuk to resolve the crisis through diplomatic channels. However, this week the New York Times reveals that the White House would be trying to modify the defense agreement signed with Denmark in 1951 to achieve a broader and indefinite US military presence there. For Olesen, this constitutes an interference in the sovereignty of the Danish autonomous territory, which is why he considers that "no government can accept it". "This crosses the line, and it would re-intensify political tension," he predicts.