Jeff Landry, Louisiana governor and US special envoy to Greenland appointed by President Trump in December 2025, made his first visit to Nuuk on May 17, 2026, arriving with around 10 people in a convoy of five vehicles [1, 2, 3, 4]. He attended the "Future Greenland" economic forum on May 19-20, an event open to the public though Landry was not formally invited [1, 5].
The US Embassy said Landry and US Ambassador to Denmark Kenneth Howery met with a broad range of Greenlanders to expand economic opportunities and strengthen relations between the US, Greenland, and Denmark [1, 2, 3, 4]. Landry said his visit aimed "to listen, learn, and explore opportunities to expand ties among Greenland, US, and Denmark" following orders from Trump "to make some friends there" [6, 5, 7].
Despite the outreach, Greenland and Denmark continue to strongly oppose any perception that Greenland is for sale or under US control. Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on May 12 that negotiations with the US and Denmark are ongoing but no agreement has been reached, with US military expansion part of the discussions [1, 2, 6, 3, 4]. Nielsen described his meetings with Landry on May 18 as "constructive," but stressed, "The Greenlandic people do not allow the buying and selling of Greenland, and Greenland’s right to self-determination is non-negotiable" [6, 5]. He also warned that "Trump’s desire to control and possess Greenland remains unchanged" [6].
The US is seeking to expand its military footprint in Greenland, including reopening some of the 17 Cold War-era facilities and building three new military bases in southern Greenland [8, 9]. Under the 1951 defense agreement, updated in 2004, the US may increase troops and facilities with notice to Denmark and Greenland [8]. Landry urged that "it is time for the US to bring its footprint back to Greenland" and touted opportunities for Greenland to move toward economic independence [8, 7]. However, Greenland polls show most favor eventual independence but no formal plans due to economic reliance on Denmark and aid [8, 7].
Secret talks among the US, Greenland, and Denmark in Washington over the past four months aim to resolve tensions and US strategic ambitions [6, 10, 11, 12]. According to New York Times reporting, the US wants to modify arrangements to allow an indefinite US troop presence even if Greenland becomes independent and demands veto power over major investment deals to exclude Russia and China [6, 10, 11, 12]. Greenland officials view these demands as threats to sovereignty that could bind Greenland generations. Greenland Parliament member Justus Hansen said, "If the Americans get everything they want, there will never be any 'true independence'" [10]. Foreign Minister Mute Egede said, "We have our red line" [7].
US military assessments target southern Greenland sites including World War II-era airports and ports to support possible increases in deployments [10, 11, 12]. Landry publicly announced plans to reopen old bases and build three new US military installations on May 20-21 [8, 9].
The next step will be further negotiations between Greenland, Denmark, and the US regarding the size and terms of the US military presence and economic cooperation amid Greenland’s firm stance on maintaining sovereignty and self-determination [1, 6].
