COPENHAGEN: The United States and Denmark have held ongoing negotiations in recent months regarding a possible expansion of American military facilities in Greenland, according to officials familiar with the discussions.
Sources stated that Washington seeks to establish three additional military bases in southern Greenland as part of broader Arctic security plans. The talks reportedly intensified after US President Donald Trump earlier renewed calls for greater American control over Greenland, citing concerns about Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic region.
The White House confirmed that high-level discussions with Denmark and Greenland are underway but declined to disclose detailed information about the negotiations. Meanwhile, Danish officials acknowledged the diplomatic process and stated that discussions continue through official channels.
According to reports, proposed bases would focus mainly on surveillance activities across the GIUK Gap, a strategically important maritime corridor between Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom. One potential site reportedly includes Narsarsuaq, where a former American military facility and airport already exist.
However, officials emphasized that both sides have not finalized any agreement, and negotiations remain ongoing. Sources also noted that the United States has not raised the possibility of forcibly taking control of Greenland during private talks, despite earlier controversial public statements from Trump.
Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated Tuesday that discussions had progressed “in the right direction.” Nevertheless, he reiterated that Greenland is not for sale and stressed that all future cooperation must respect Greenland’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The United States currently operates the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, previously known as Thule Air Base. Analysts noted that the existing 1951 US-Denmark defense agreement already permits expanded American military operations with Danish approval.
