Trump made the comments in Florida after appointing Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as Washington’s special envoy to Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory.

“We need Greenland for national protection,” Trump told reporters, arguing that Denmark had failed to provide adequate military protection for the island.

He repeated the claim several times, saying: “We need Greenland for national security, not for minerals...We need Greenland for national security.”

“And if you take a look at Greenland, you look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place,” Trump said.

“We need it for national security. We have to have it...Greenland's a big deal,” he added.

Trump praised Landry, calling him “a great guy” and “a deal guy,” while announcing the appointment.

Earlier, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen rejected Trump’s remarks in a joint statement.

“You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security,” the statement said.

“Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the US shall not take over Greenland,” it added.

Meanwhile, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Denmark would summon US Ambassador Kenneth A. Howery to seek an explanation following Landry’s appointment.

Landry welcomed the role on the US social media platform X, saying: “It’s an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!”

Greenland was formerly a Danish colony and gained home rule in 1979, while remaining part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

In 2008, Greenlanders approved the Self-Government Act in a referendum, with 75.5% voting in favor.

The law took effect in June 2009, granting Greenland broader autonomy while Denmark retained control over foreign policy, defense and security.

Separately, the European Union expressed solidarity with Denmark and Greenland following Washington’s announcement of a special envoy.

“We continue to stand in solidarity with Denmark and Greenland,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on X.

“Greenland is an autonomous territory in the Kingdom of Denmark. Any changes to that status are for Greenlanders and Danes alone to decide,” she added.

“We expect all our partners to respect their sovereignty and territorial integrity and to abide by their international commitments,” Kallas said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed those remarks, emphasizing Arctic security and international law.

“Arctic security remains a key priority for the European Union, and one in which we seek to work with allies and partners,” she said.

“Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law,” von der Leyen added.

“We stand in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland,” she said.

Trump defended the appointment on his Truth Social platform, writing that Landry understands “how essential Greenland is” for US national security.

Trump said Landry would advance US interests to ensure the safety of allies and the wider world.

Greenland has long attracted US interest because of its strategic Arctic location and mineral wealth.

Trump has previously described acquiring Greenland as an “absolute necessity” for US economic security, likening it to “a large real estate deal.”

Both Denmark and Greenland have consistently rejected any proposal to sell the territory, reaffirming that sovereignty over the island is not negotiable.