Arctic geopolitics intensify as US expands Greenland presence

Geopolitical competition is intensifying in the Arctic as the United States, the European Union, and China vie for influence over trade routes and resources. A recent agreement between the US, Denmark, and Greenland has significantly increased American military presence on the island. A key provision of this agreement prohibits non-NATO countries, specifically targeting China, from establishing manned or unmanned military installations in Greenland.

US Coast Guard officials have expressed concern regarding China’s increasing presence in the region. Rear Admiral Bob Little noted that four Chinese research vessels have operated offshore in the US Arctic in 2026 alone, compared to five in the entirety of 2025. US authorities are closely monitoring these activities, citing risks related to seabed surveillance, mapping of the US extended continental shelf, and maritime operations that could provide China with a military advantage.

Simultaneously, the Arctic has become a point of friction between transatlantic allies. While the EU has moved to recognize the Arctic as a ‘geopolitical hotspot’ and seeks to expand its influence through initiatives like proposing associate member status for Canada, it faces challenges due to a lack of sovereign Arctic borders and icebreaker infrastructure. This has created a competitive dynamic between Brussels and Washington regarding control over the region.