The United States is reportedly engaged in closely guarded negotiations with Denmark to expand its military footprint in Greenland, with discussions focused on opening three new American bases across the strategically important Arctic territory.
According to officials familiar with the talks, the negotiations have intensified in recent months as Washington seeks to strengthen surveillance and defense capabilities in the North Atlantic amid growing concerns over Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic region.
The proposed bases would reportedly be located in southern Greenland and could include sites near existing infrastructure such as airports and ports to reduce construction costs. One potential location is Narsarsuaq, home to a former US military facility and airfield.
The discussions come after President Donald Trump reignited controversy earlier this year by stating that the US should “own” Greenland to prevent Russia or China from gaining influence there. Trump suggested the acquisition could happen “the easy way or the hard way,” sparking diplomatic tensions with Denmark and NATO allies.
Despite the public rhetoric, officials from the United States and Denmark have quietly continued negotiations behind closed doors. The White House confirmed that high-level talks involving Greenland and Denmark are ongoing, with officials reportedly optimistic about progress.
Danish authorities also acknowledged the diplomatic discussions but declined to provide details. Denmark has previously expressed openness to expanded US military operations in Greenland, provided any agreement respects Danish sovereignty.
Sources familiar with the negotiations said American officials proposed a framework in which the new military sites could potentially be designated as US sovereign territory, although no formal agreement has been reached.
The new bases are expected to focus heavily on monitoring maritime activity in the GIUK Gap — the strategic naval corridor between Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom that is considered vital for tracking Russian naval movements in the North Atlantic.
The US currently operates only one active military installation in Greenland, Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base. During the Cold War, the US maintained around 17 military facilities across Greenland.
The negotiations are reportedly being led by senior US State Department official Michael Needham alongside Danish and Greenlandic diplomats. Officials from both countries have met multiple times since January in efforts to craft a compromise that balances American security interests with Danish territorial concerns.
Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said this week that discussions with the US had moved “in the right direction,” while emphasizing Greenland’s position that the territory is “not for sale.”
Analysts say the renewed US focus on Greenland highlights the Arctic’s growing geopolitical importance as melting ice opens new shipping routes and intensifies competition among major powers.
