US envoy urges return to Greenland, citing security needs

Washington needs to reimpose its presence in Greenland, US special envoy Jeff Landry has said, as the administration of President Donald Trump seeks to expand its military and strategic footprint on the Arctic island.

The Republican governor of Louisiana arrived in Nuuk on Sunday at Trump’s assignment to “find a lot of new friends.” The visit followed months of tensions stirred by Trump’s calls for an American takeover of the autonomous Danish territory and sparked controversy after it emerged that Greenlandic authorities reportedly had not officially invited Landry.

“I think it’s time for the US to put its footprint back on Greenland,” he told AFP on Wednesday during his first visit to Greenland since taking up the post in December 2025, adding that the US is looking at boosting military operations and reviving former bases on the island.

The US operated 17 military installations across Greenland during the Cold War, but most were later shuttered, leaving Pituffik base in the island’s far north as Washington’s only remaining military outpost.

Recent media reports suggested that Washington is in talks with Denmark and is seeking to open three new bases in southern Greenland.

“I think you’re seeing the president talk about increasing national security operations and repopulating certain bases in Greenland,” Landry told the outlet.

Under a 1951 defense agreement with Denmark, updated in 2004, the US is already permitted to expand troop deployments and military infrastructure on the island, provided Copenhagen and Greenlandic authorities are notified in advance.

Greenlandic and Danish officials have repeatedly insisted that the island alone will decide its future, rejecting outside pressure over its sovereignty, in a stance that reflects a growing split within NATO as Denmark – a founding member of the bloc – finds itself at odds with Washington.

Landry questioned whether Greenland currently had sovereignty at all when asked by Danish broadcaster DR whether an expanded US presence on the island would respect Greenlandic self-rule, while insisting Washington had always respected sovereignty, “even in places where we have had to go in and liberate.”

At the same time, he dismissed fears of a US takeover, saying Greenlanders “should not be afraid.”

Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen said after meeting Landry on Monday that the island’s position toward the US “had not moved an inch,” reiterating that Greenland’s “red lines” remained unchanged. He also noted that despite “constructive talks” there was “no sign” Washington had softened its stance.

Declassified US military documents showed Washington viewed Greenland as vital to American security as early as 1946, prompting a $100 million offer to buy the island and even discussions about swapping part of Alaska. Denmark rejected the proposals, and the issue was later shelved after Copenhagen joined NATO and agreed to host US military bases in Greenland.

Trump renewed the push to bring the mineral-rich Arctic territory under greater US control, claiming that the island risks falling into the hands of China or Russia.