The United States and Denmark are hammering out a secret deal for the USA to set up 3 military bases in Greenland. This follows months of tension after Trump declared plans to invade or buy the island from the NATO ally.
Vice-President JD Vance touring the US military base in Greenland
Trump had earlier warned that if the USA doesn’t get to own Greenland the easy way, it was going to happen “the hard way.” Now the two sides are working out a plan that takes invasion off the table
The U.S. operates a single military base in Greenland. During the Cold War, there were 17 US military bases on the Island. Trump has a vision to revive the glory days as a show of strength to the world.
The new military bases will be built in the southern part of the island to counter any Russian and Chinese marine operations in the area. This region is the so-called GIUK Gap and stretches from Greenland to Iceland and the UK.
An old base called Narsarsuaq will likely be revived. The old site is already equipped with an airport and may help cut project costs.
A US official called Michael Needham, has been leading the talks with Danish counterparts. It is a balancing act of appeasing Trump while tiptoeing around Denmark, whose leaders have made it clear that Greenland is not for sale.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen is the Greenlandic Prime Minister. He confirmed on Tuesday during a Copenhagen meeting that the talks are ongoing. However, he insisted that “We are not to be taken. We are not for sale.”
US officials involved in the talks are pushing for the bases to be considered sovereign US territory. In effect, this makes the land a property of the United States. But Denmark says they are not interested in giving up any part of Greenland.
The USA believes that if they don’t take over Greenland, China or Russia will. Russia has set up a few military bases in the Arctic, while China’s trade ships regularly use the waterways around Greenland.
In January, POTUS angered many Greenland citizens when he threatened to force Denmark to hand over the Island. Large protests were held in Copenhagen and Nuuk.
The last few months have been quieter as the White House focuses more on the secret talks.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry is Trump’s new special envoy to Greenland. Many expected him to be leading the talks, but reports show he hasn’t been in any of the meetings.
Sources close to Landry say that he was meant to showcase brute strength against Denmark. The current negotiations are being handled by professional diplomats to prioritize peace.
As POTUS’s attention is split between Iran, China, and the economy, this small group of negotiators has kept the Denmark conversation going. They have held 5 meetings so far since January, but no official deal has been reached. The WH says it’s “very optimistic” that a deal will be reached soon.
The world is curiously watching whether Trump can peacefully secure the northern flank without souring friendships with a NATO ally. For the people of Greenland, partnerships are welcome, but forceful invasion may not be taken lightly.