Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Monday that the United States has not changed its stance toward Greenland following a meeting with US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, who arrived in Nuuk without an official invitation.
Nielsen described his meeting with US envoy Jeff Landry as “constructive”, though he stressed there was “no sign… that anything has changed” regarding Washington’s position on the Arctic territory.
“It was a constructive meeting, where we were able to engage in dialogue in a positive spirit and with great mutual respect,” Nielsen told reporters.
“We clearly reiterated that the people of Greenland are not for sale and that Greenlanders have the right to self-determination. This is not a subject for negotiation,” he added.
‘Red line’
Landry’s visit comes amid lingering tensions caused by Trump’s repeated remarks about acquiring Greenland, although diplomatic friction has eased somewhat in recent months.
Greenland’s Foreign Minister Mute Egede also stated that the United States had not abandoned its ambitions concerning the island.
“We have our red line. The Americans’ starting point has not changed either,” Egede said.
The visit also takes place during a politically sensitive period for Denmark, which has been without a formal government since elections held on March 24 failed to produce a majority coalition.
Earlier this year, Trump softened earlier threats suggesting the US could take control of Greenland, potentially through military means, after strong opposition from Denmark and NATO allies.
Following that controversy, officials from Copenhagen and Nuuk held initial discussions in Washington, after which a working group was formed to address the US position on Greenland.
“Talks are taking place within the working group,” Egede said. “We are not going to have parallel discussions.”
Trump has repeatedly argued that the United States needs control of Greenland for national security reasons, warning that the Arctic island could otherwise fall under the influence of China or Russia.
Landry, who serves as governor of Louisiana, arrived in Greenland on Sunday for his first visit in the role of US special envoy. He is expected to attend an economic forum in Nuuk over the next two days.
According to local media footage, a small group of Greenlandic residents gathered at the airport carrying Greenlandic flags in protest during his arrival.
Speaking to Danish broadcaster TV2, Landry said his visit aimed to explore opportunities to strengthen relations between Greenland and the United States.
He added that Trump had instructed him to “go over there and make a bunch of new friends.”
‘Not guinea pigs’
Landry is reportedly travelling with a delegation of around 10 people, including a doctor assigned to assess healthcare needs in Greenland.
Greenlandic Health Minister Anna Wangenheim criticised the move, calling it “deeply problematic”.
She said it was concerning that individuals advocating for Greenland to become part of the United States were sending a so-called volunteer doctor to evaluate local needs.
“Greenlanders are not guinea pigs in a geopolitical project,” Wangenheim wrote in a post on LinkedIn.
Her comments follow earlier criticism in February when Trump reportedly offered to send a US naval hospital ship to the Arctic territory without being asked.
