Jeff Landry, the US special envoy to Greenland appointed by President Donald Trump, has stated that the United States should restore its military presence on the Arctic island. During his first visit to the territory since taking the role in December 2025, Landry told reporters in Nuuk that Washington needs to "put its footprint back" on Greenland, a semi-autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Speaking to Agence France-Presse, the Louisiana governor said: "I think that you're seeing the president talk about increasing national security operations and repopulating certain bases in Greenland." He added that "everyone that I've talked to in Greenland would love to see the US repopulate those bases," and that the territory "needs the US."
A Cold War Legacy
At the height of the Cold War, the United States operated 17 military facilities on Greenland and stationed more than 10,000 troops there. Today, only one remains: Pituffik Space Base, the northernmost installation of the US Department of Defense. According to the US Space Force, the base is used for missile warning, missile defense, and space surveillance missions.
Trump has repeatedly argued that acquiring Greenland is essential for US national security and to prevent China or Russia from gaining a foothold in the Arctic. "If we don't do it, China or Russia will," the president has said, adding that he does not want them as a "neighbour" in the region.
This is not the first time Landry's comments have stirred controversy. Shortly after his appointment in December, the Republican governor stated that his goal was to make Greenland part of the United States, provoking a strong backlash from both Greenlandic and Danish politicians. Denmark's foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, told Danish television that he was "deeply upset" by the creation of the special envoy role and "particularly upset" by Landry's "unacceptable" statements.
In January, the leaders of five political parties in Greenland's parliament issued a joint statement rejecting any US acquisition attempts. The territory, which has a population of around 57,000, has been increasingly assertive in its foreign policy, though Denmark retains control over defense and security matters.
The push for a larger US military footprint in Greenland comes as European allies debate their own defense spending. The European Union has been grappling with how to respond to shifting US priorities, as seen in recent clashes among MEPs over military spending. Meanwhile, the US has signaled it may reduce military capabilities available to NATO allies in wartime, adding urgency to European defense planning.
Landry's comments also come amid heightened great-power competition in the Arctic, where melting ice is opening new shipping routes and resource extraction opportunities. Russia has been expanding its military infrastructure in the region, while China has declared itself a "near-Arctic state" and invested in research and commercial projects.
For Denmark and Greenland, the US overtures present a delicate balancing act. Copenhagen values its alliance with Washington but is wary of any infringement on its sovereignty. Greenland's government, which has long sought greater economic independence from Denmark, sees potential benefits from US investment but remains cautious about ceding control.
As the Trump administration continues to press its case, the future of US-Greenland relations—and the broader Arctic security landscape—remains uncertain.
