U.S. seeks expanded military presence in Greenland

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that Greenland remains part of Denmark “for now,” while the administration continues talks with Denmark and Greenland on using the island for collective defence and missile‑defence purposes.

The United States is negotiating access to three additional bases—including former World‑War‑II sites at Narsarsuaq and Kangerlussuaq—to broaden its Arctic capabilities beyond the Pituffik Space Base. Gen. Gregory Guillot said the expansion is necessary because of rising threats and would support space‑based missile warning, fighter‑tanker operations and special‑operations ports.

The negotiations rely on a 1951 defence agreement and its 2004 update, which give the U.S. sweeping military access across Greenland. The effort follows years of U.S. interest in the island, highlighted by former President Trump’s claim that Greenland should become U.S. territory.