US special envoy to Greenland Jeff Landry said Washington needs to rebuild its presence on the Arctic island, which remains under Danish autonomy. He made the statement after arriving in Nuuk without an official invitation on May 17, 2026, and holding talks with Greenlandic leaders over the next two days [1, 2, 3].
During the Cold War, the US operated 17 military facilities in Greenland. Today, only one base—the Pituffik Air Base in northern Greenland—remains active. Landry called for reopening bases and adding new security operations, saying, "I think it’s time for the US to put its footprint back on Greenland" and "Greenland needs the US" [1, 4, 2, 3].
Recent media reports indicate the US plans to open three new military bases in southern Greenland. A 1951 defense pact between the US and Denmark, updated in 2004, allows the US to expand troops and installations there with prior notification to Denmark and Greenland [1, 2, 3].
Greenland’s strategic importance is due to its location on the shortest missile route between Russia and the US. It also has untapped rare-earth mineral deposits, and melting polar ice may open new shipping lanes. These factors have led President Donald Trump to argue Washington must control Greenland to block Chinese and Russian influence [1, 4, 2, 3].
Trump abandoned an earlier threat to seize Greenland in January 2026, and a US-Danish-Greenlandic working group was formed to address security issues. Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen called the US desire for control "completely disrespectful" but said Greenland "is obliged to find a solution" [1, 2, 3]. After meeting Landry, Nielsen described the talks as "constructive" but noted "no sign... that anything has changed" in the US stance [3]. Greenlandic and Danish officials emphasize only Greenland can decide its future [1, 3].
Landry, also Louisiana’s Republican governor, gave interviews on May 20 asserting the US must increase military presence in Greenland, reflecting broader Washington concerns about Arctic security [1, 4, 2, 3].
