US Special Envoy Jeff Landry Visits Greenland, Prime Minister Reiterates "Not For Sale" Stance
US Special Envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, commenced his inaugural visit to the Arctic territory on Monday, aiming to forge relationships. Landing in Nuuk, Greenland's capital, Landry stated, "I'm here simply to build relationships, to look, to listen and to learn."
However, the Louisiana Governor's uninvited visit, which follows President Trump's earlier threat to seize Greenland, has been met with resistance. Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen publicly reiterated his country is "not for sale." The Prime Minister also noted the "good tone" of his meeting with Landry and the US Ambassador to Denmark, Ken Howery, but emphasised that no parallel discussions would occur outside ongoing top-level talks.
Greenland's Health Minister, Anna Wangenheim, criticised the inclusion of an American doctor to "assess the medical needs" in Greenland, describing it as "deeply problematic." This follows a previous rejection of a US hospital ship offer from Washington. Mute Egede, Greenland's Foreign Minister, stated that Washington's objectives to acquire the territory remain unchanged: "We have our red line. The Americans' starting point has not changed either."
Addressing journalists, Landry suggested that previous US administrations had neglected Greenland. When questioned on President Trump's continued interest in acquiring the territory, Landry deferred, stating, "You'll have to talk to the president yourself."
Maliina Abelsen, a Greenlandic businesswoman and former politician, declined a meeting invitation, asserting, "It's only four months ago that we felt very threatened by the US, so the timing is not appropriate." Aqqaluk Lynge, author and former president of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, highlighted "so much distrust now."
Landry and Howery are scheduled to attend the opening of a new US consulate building in Nuuk on Thursday. Greenlandic MP Naaja H. Nathanielsen confirmed she would not attend, noting, "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."
