Jeff Landry: Incredible opportunities for the Greenlandic people

Trump's special envoy to Greenland, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, says in an interview with Sermitsiaq that it is important that the US and Greenland build a stronger relationship, and that previous US administrations have basically not been interested in Greenland. That has changed with Trump at the helm, and according to Jeff Landry, that should arouse enthusiasm in Greenland.

Among other things, the US president has said that Greenland is a "big poorly run, piece of ice". Do you agree with that, now that you have been here for 2 days?

– I think that there are some incredible opportunities that can actually lift Greenlanders from dependence to independence. It seems as if this country has been economically dependent on Denmark. And I think that the president of the US would like to see the country become economically independent. And I think that is possible here, says Jeff Landry.

Message to Trump

What message will you take back to President Trump after your visit?

“My message to the president will be based on what I have heard from people I have met and business leaders I have spoken to,” says Jeff Landry, who met with former Nuuk Mayor Nikolaj Heinrich and 10 business leaders from Greenland on Tuesday, who, according to Landry, gave him good insight into how previous US administrations have prioritized Greenland.

“How many times have top diplomats from the US or Europe visited Greenland before, and how many times have top politicians mentioned Greenland in a speech before? I can tell you that I asked Nikolaj Heinrich about it, and he said “never” – not in his lifetime – and that is quite a long time when you consider that he is 88 years old,” says Jeff Landry, who particularly notes that the US has not shown any interest in creating economic opportunities for Greenland before Trump.

Direct trade routes

What are the concrete economic opportunities that the US can create for Greenland?

– The first could be a direct trade route between the US and Greenland. I believe that United will start their direct flights this summer, and that could help create continuity, which will help it along the way.

– I am convinced that the president understands and will help strengthen these opportunities. The question is whether future presidents will continue this work. The Greenlandic people must understand that President Trump wants to introduce some permanent solutions that mean that future presidents cannot ignore Greenland, which is basically what they have done, says Landry.

Greenland is a neighbor

But do you and the president respect the red lines that the Greenlandic Government has mentioned in relation to sovereignty?

– There is only one line for us. It is red, white and blue. You have to remember that the President’s appreciation of Greenland is because Greenland is right in the Western Hemisphere. The President is determined to ensure that the countries in the Western Hemisphere have the right security measures and economic opportunities that create and strengthen ties with the United States. According to the Monroe Doctrine, the United States is a world power that must take care of its neighbors and their people.

Independence

But what if these neighbors and their people do not want this? Greenland has expressed that it would like to cooperate with the United States, but not be taken over by the United States or other countries.

– Wait a minute. Let me ask you. There is no reason why Greenland could not function like Iceland, which seems to have a very robust economy with a good relationship with the United States. I think Greenland could have an economy that is just as good or maybe even better as an independent country.

Trump has opened the door

What did the members of the Greenlandic Parliament say to you at the meeting?

– They said they would appreciate a respectful dialogue. And then we talked about the communication between the US and Greenland before Trump, and it was said that "Greenland knocked on the door, but no one answered". Trump has opened the door, and that is a good place to start. The question now is, do you want a more independent Greenland? More autonomy? More opportunities for your children? Better access to health? Maybe the hospital ship was not the solution, but okay, then give me a solution. That is what I told them.

MAGA caps

You brought "Make American Great Again" caps. Did you hand them out? Did you also hand out chocolate coins?

– They were not chocolate coins. It was a personal commemorative coin that I gave to some children. I also brought some caps, but I only gave them to people who asked for them. And I have to tell you something. In many other places in the world, those caps are very sought after. Do you know why? Because they are a symbol of freedom and opportunity. That is what the United States stands for. And if it weren't for us, everyone would have spoken German here instead of Danish. Tell me, when has a European country with military power ever liberated another country instead of taking it over? That has never happened in Western civilization.

But the United States also has a history of oppressing indigenous peoples?

– Do you really want to go down that road? I don't think you do.

The President's decision

Do you agree with the embassy in Denmark and the consulate in Nuuk in relation to the cooperation with Greenland? And how do you view the working group that has been set up?

– There is only one person to focus on, and that is the president. He has set up the working group, and he likes to hear what different people see and recommend, and then he makes a decision based on that. If he puts all his trust in the working group, and he doesn't like what they come back with, then he doesn't know if he has all the information. I am sure he talks to the ambassador, and the ambassador talks to the people on the working group. I will report to the president about the possibilities, which I think are very real for the Greenlandic people. And then it is up to him to make a decision, says Landry.