Governor Jeff Landry had a spirited exchange with reporters in Greenland, where he’s visiting as part of his job as President Trump’s special envoy to the island nation. The president wants a closer relationship with the autonomous Danish territory for national security purposes and to have access to the island’s minerals. Landry says it’s a good thing that the U.S. has an interest in Greenland.
Landry: “When’s the last time that any high-level diplomats came to Greenland, whether it’s from Europe or not, before Donald Trump?”
Reporter: “That says more about you than -“
Landry: “No … that’s a question that Greenlanders should ask themselves.”
Leaders of Greenland have been vocal in their opposition to a possible takeover of their country by the United States.
The governor has been in Greenland since Sunday and told a Danish media outlet that the President told him to go to Greenland and make as many friends as possible.
Landry attended the Future Greenland trade fair in Nuuk that included a seminar on understanding the United States. Landry was asked about coming to Greenland without an invitation.
Landry: “You showed up in Louisiana; Am I going to throw you out because you weren’t invited? No no, this place is open; this conference is open to the public. And so why wouldn’t you -“
Reporter: “How has your reception been in Greenland?”
Landry: “The reception’s been great!”
Landry says he had a meeting with Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and said the meeting went well and the two discussed the United States’ interest with the Arctic nation.
“What were the issues with the United States, in relationship between Greenland and the United States before the President? You heard the Prime Minister, whenever I got out of that meeting. I got out of the meeting that, before Donald Trump, the United States was ignoring Greenland,” Landry said.
Nielsen told a Danish TV station that his courtesy meeting with Landry took place with mutual respect and in a positive atmosphere. But he made it known that the Greenlandic people are not for sale and self-determination is non-negotiable.