Trump Envoy Faces Resistance during Greenland Visit

President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, began his first official visit to the Arctic island, saying the mission was focused on building ties and strengthening relationships.

“I'm here simply to build relationships, to look, to listen and to learn,” Landry said after arriving in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital.

The visit comes amid continuing diplomatic tensions between the United States, Greenland and Denmark following Trump’s earlier remarks about taking control of the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

Landry, who also serves as Governor of Louisiana, attended a business summit and is scheduled to join the opening of a new US consulate building in Nuuk. He travelled with a small delegation that included an American doctor, who told Danish broadcaster TV2 that he had volunteered “to assess the medical needs” in Greenland.

• Greenland reiterates territory is “not for sale”
• US envoy visits Nuuk without official invitation
• Diplomatic tensions continue over Arctic control

Greenland’s Health Minister, Anna Wangenheim, criticised the move as “deeply problematic”. Earlier this year, Trump had announced plans to send a US hospital ship to Greenland, an offer rejected by Greenlandic authorities.

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Having been appointed envoy in December 2025, Landry said Trump had told him to “go over there, and make a bunch of friends”. During the visit, he met local business leaders, a former mayor and Greenlandic Trump supporter Jorgen Boassen.

The visit, however, has faced criticism in Greenland as it took place without an official invitation while negotiations between the US, Denmark and Greenland continue.

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen met Landry and US Ambassador to Denmark Ken Howery, later telling reporters: “We clearly reiterated that the people of Greenland are not for sale and that Greenlanders have the right to self-determination.”

Greenland Foreign Minister Mute Egede said the US had not abandoned its ambitions regarding the territory. “We have our red line. The Americans' starting point has not changed either,” Egede said.

Speaking outside the “Future Greenland” business event, Landry argued that previous US administrations had neglected Greenland.

“Before Donald Trump, the United States was ignoring Greenland,” he said.

When asked whether Trump still wanted Greenland to become part of the United States, Landry replied: “You'll have to talk to the President yourself.”

Political analysts described the visit as a softer diplomatic approach compared to earlier tensions. However, some Greenland residents and leaders remain sceptical.

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Businesswoman and former politician Maliina Abelsen said the timing of the visit was inappropriate, adding: “It's only four months ago that we felt very threatened by the US.”

Former Inuit Circumpolar Council President Aqqaluk Lynge said there was now “so much distrust” in Greenland-US relations.

Greenlandic MP Naaja H. Nathanielsen also declined to attend the consulate opening, saying: “Landry is tasked to help the President acquire Greenland. That is a reason why he's here to 'listen' and visit, and that in itself is, I think, still very serious.”