Landry: I'm here to check it out

Trump's special envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, landed at Nuuk airport on Sunday afternoon, after which he and a small entourage of 6-7 people were driven directly to the new US consulate building, where they were accommodated at the Hotel Aurora Apartments, which is located in the same building as the consulate.

Subsequently, Landry and a few others went on a tour of Nuuk with a small group of journalists, including Sermitsiaq, who had the opportunity to ask a few questions to the governor from Louisiana, who, in connection with his appointment in December, said that he considered it an honor to serve under Trump to make Greenland part of the United States.

In February, Landry wrote on the social media X: "Shame on you Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen!" in continuation of the fact that Jens-Frederik Nielsen had turned down the offer of a hospital ship from the United States.

Since then, there has been more silence from the governor, who will be attending the Future Greenland conference in the coming days, which will take place on May 19-20 in Katuaq.

Will not attend the opening of the consulate

The Greenland Business Association, which is behind the conference, has clarified to Sermitsiaq that Jeff Landry is not invited, nor is he among the speakers at the conference, but that he will participate on an equal footing with all other registered participants.

According to Jeff Landry himself, the trip back to the USA will start on May 20 and therefore he will not be attending the opening of the consulate on Thursday, May 21.

“We are announcing a large project in Louisiana, which I will be returning to. I have a regular job,” he tells Sermitsiaq during the walk around Nuuk.

Don't need an invitation to come

Why are you here in Nuuk?

– I'm here to check it out. It's like an expedition.

But you haven't received an official invitation to come here.

– People also come to Louisiana without an invitation. We don't all have to be invited to come. I also went to South Korea, and I didn't need an invitation there either. And I came back with a steel mill, says Jeff Landry, referring to his visit to South Korea in 2024, which secured investments of 21 billion dollars from Hyundai Motor Group for the construction of a large steel mill in Louisiana.

Meeting with Naalakkersuisut

Are you going to meet with the Greenlandic government?

– Yes, I think we will meet with the head of government when the ambassador (Ken Howery, ed.) gets here, says Landry.

The US ambassador Ken Howery is scheduled to arrive in Nuuk on Monday. According to Sermitsiaq's information, the meeting with the chairman of the Greenlandic government Jens-Frederik Nielsen will also take place on Monday.

Want to create contacts and opportunities

Who draws the official line in the US in relation to Greenland. Is it you or the US embassy in Denmark/the US consulate in Nuuk?

– I don't understand what you mean by your question. We have different perspectives on things, just like journalists write different stories.

What are you going to do in Greenland?

– I'm going to try to make as many friends as possible, and see as many things as possible, and talk to people, and see if there are any additional opportunities that the United States could get involved in. That is, more economic opportunities that can certainly also do something good for the Greenlanders, says Jeff Landry.

According to Sermitsiaq's information, Landry will visit local citizens on Monday. And along the way, probably hand out more "Make America Great Again" caps. In any case, several boxes of these caps were loaded into the back of the delegation's rented cars, while Sermitsiaq watched.

Takeover of Greenland

What about the takeover of Greenland, which you said a few months ago?

– Well, let me ask you: When has the United States ever taken over another country? The United States has never done anything like that, unlike European countries that have engaged in imperialism and colonialism.

– We have always engaged in open relations and economic opportunities. Even after World War II, when we, as the only superpower, had the opportunity, we didn't. We helped rebuild Europe and Asia. I find it fascinating that from a European perspective you see this as a kind of takeover. I just mean, when have we done that?, says Jeff Landry.