Al Jazeera: United States President Donald Trump has stepped up his campaign to take over Greenland, declaring the Danish territory essential to Washington’s national security and appointing a special envoy he said would “lead the charge”.

Trump’s comments on Monday came as the leaders of Denmark and Greenland protested against remarks by the new envoy, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who said he would make the Arctic territory “a part of the US”.

Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, Trump reiterated his position that Greenland is vital to US defence interests.

“We need Greenland for national security, not for minerals,” the US president said. “If you take a look at Greenland, you look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place… We have to have it.”

The remarks followed Trump’s Sunday announcement of Landry’s appointment, in which he praised the governor for understanding “how essential Greenland is to our national security”.

Landry subsequently posted on X that it was “an honour to serve… in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US”, adding that the role would not affect his gubernatorial duties.

Landry’s statement drew a sharp rebuke from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who issued a joint statement asserting that “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders”.

“You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security,” they said. “The US shall not take over Greenland.” >>>