US Moves to Establish Permanent Presence in Greenland Continue

On Sunday, May 17, 2026, Jeff Landry, the governor of Louisiana and special envoy of US President Donald Trump, landed unexpectedly at Nuuk airport in Greenland without prior notice to local authorities. He carried red hats bearing the slogan "Make America Great Again," was accompanied by a doctor tasked with assessing Greenland’s healthcare system, and planned an unofficial three-day visit including attendance at an economic conference to which he was not invited.

Since Trump took office in November 2024, Greenlanders have become accustomed to uninvited American visitors, ranging from Donald Trump Jr. and Charlie Kirk in January 2025 to Vice President J.D. Vance in March of the same year. However, this latest visit carries a distinct dimension.

Washington’s Evolving Strategy for Greenland

A New York Times report revealed that the United States has not abandoned its ambitions to control Greenland but has modified its approach. Instead of outright annexation, Washington now demands a permanent and unrestricted military presence on the island, even if Greenland were to become independent. The US also seeks veto power over any significant investment deals in Greenland.

Ulrik Bram Gad, a Greenland affairs researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, told the French newspaper Le Monde that these demands conflict with Greenland’s right to self-determination and sovereignty.

On the military front, General Gregory Gelo, commander of the US Northern Command, informed Congress in March that Washington aims to establish three additional military bases in Greenland alongside the existing Thule Air Base. The two priority locations are Narsarsuaq in the south, featuring a deep-water port, and Kangilinnguit in the southwest, which has a long runway capable of accommodating large aircraft. Both sites previously hosted US military bases during World War II and the Cold War.

Economic Interests: Rare Earth Mining

The US strategy extends beyond military and political ambitions. In mid-April, Greenlandic authorities approved the transfer of the exploitation license for the "Tanbreez" rare earth project to the American company Critical Metals, which now controls 92.5% of the project. This deposit is among the largest global reserves outside China. The timing followed a summit in Beijing between Trump and Xi Jinping, where rare earths were a key leverage point, situating the American acquisition within a broader geopolitical contest.

Reactions and Diplomatic Tensions

When asked about the purpose of his visit, Landry smiled and stated that he came to "gather new friends" and denied any hostile intentions. He added, "Unlike European countries that practiced imperialism and colonization, America has never done such things."

His arrival angered Greenland’s Health Minister Anna Wangenheim, who refused to accept the accompanying American doctor, viewing it as interference in internal affairs. Researcher Bram Gad described the visit to Le Monde as a "campaign of charm and pressure simultaneously."

Despite Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen declaring that the island is not for sale, he acknowledged at the "Future of Greenland" forum that Greenland "must find a solution" with Washington within the trilateral working group formed in January. He stated, "We do not want American investments, but we do not intend to exclude them."

European Solidarity and Local Perceptions

At the economic forum, French Commissioner Minister Nicolas Forissier openly expressed European solidarity, stating, "Greenland is neither for sale nor for invasion, and France is here to offer assistance."

Pierre Haski, an analyst for France Inter, assessed that American moves "will face greater rejection in Europe," especially after Washington withdrew 5,000 troops from Germany and canceled deployments in Poland while increasing forces on the island claimed by Trump. He added, "The NATO summit in Turkey in June will be an opportunity to clarify what American guarantees mean for the alliance’s countries."

Amid this debate, the towering glass building planned to host the new US consulate in Nuuk has become a subject of ridicule among Greenlanders, who say it is so large it appears designed to serve as the future headquarters for American administration "after annexation."