Governor Jeff Landry of Louisiana, who serves as President Donald Trump’s envoy to Greenland, has found himself uninvited from the region’s renowned annual dogsled race. This decision comes in the wake of heightened discussions from the White House advocating for the acquisition of Greenland, a self-governing territory under Danish rule.

The Greenland Dogsledding Association (KNQK) announced that the tourism company responsible for inviting Governor Landry had rescinded their invitation. “This development provides reassurance to KNQK, and we are taking note of the intelligence,” stated Mikkel Jeremiassen, the Board Chairman of the association, in a recent press release.

Jeremiassen emphasized that KNQK, alongside the event organizers, QQP, are united in preparing for the Avannaata Qimussersua 2026, the eagerly anticipated sled race. “We are enthusiastic about the upcoming Avannaata Qimussersuata event,” he further added.

This move to disinvite Landry follows a similar incident last year when Usha Vance, the second lady, opted out of attending the dog sled race amid protests against her participation.

Since the onset of President Trump’s second term, the administration has shown a keen interest in acquiring Greenland, citing the move as crucial for national security reasons.

The island is rich in minerals and provides a crucial presence for the U.S. in the Arctic, where both China and Russia have ramped up their military presence. 

The U.S. has one active military base in Greenland: Pituffik Space Base, which operates under a defense agreement with Denmark for strategic missile warning, space surveillance and Arctic research.

Still, the president has advocated for complete control of Greenland with strong pushback from Danish officials and NATO allies.

On Saturday, Trump said he would impose a 10 percent tariff on Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom after some of the countries sent troops to Greenland’s capital of Nuuk amid their opposition to the president’s rhetoric.