During his second presidency, the American leader has repeatedly floated the idea of annexing Greenland, without excluding the use of military force. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded in January that taking Greenland would end NATO.
In December last year, Trump appointed U.S. Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland, sparking strong condemnations from both Denmark and the European Commission after Landry suggested his role was “to make Greenland a part of the U.S.”
Although Trump has since walked back claims of annexing the island, his administration is trying to increase its influence. Former NATO chief Anders Rasmussen told POLITICO at the GLOBSEC Forum on Thursday that the United States and Denmark were working to increase US military presence on Greenland through “a more classical diplomatic path.”
“We would welcome that,” Rasmussen said, referring to the military expansion.
This week, Landry visited Greenland alongside U.S. Ambassador to Denmark Ken Howery, meeting with the island’s top officials. Howery will inaugurate the new consulate alongside the U.S. Consul in Nuuk, Susan Wilson, according to local media.