Jeff Landry, special envoy for US President Donald Trump to Greenland, stated on 20/5 during his visit to the island that "It is time for the US to re-establish its presence in Greenland. The president has discussed increasing national security operations and redeploying forces at some bases here." This marked Landry's first visit to the autonomous Danish island since his appointment late last year. He also serves as the governor of Louisiana.
"Greenland needs the US," Landry added, as Washington reportedly considers opening 3 new military bases in the southern part of the island. A 1951 defense treaty, updated in 2004, permits Washington to increase troop deployment and military facilities in Greenland, provided Denmark and the island's government are notified in advance.
The US interest stems from Greenland's strategic location on the shortest missile route between Russia and the US. The island is also believed to possess untapped rare earth mineral reserves, and its importance could grow as polar ice melts, opening new shipping routes. Trump has repeatedly argued that the US needs to control Greenland to ensure national security, warning the island could fall under the influence of powers like China or Russia if Washington does not act swiftly.
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Jeff Landry (center), special envoy for US President Donald Trump, in Greenland's capital Nuuk on 20/5. *Photo: AP*
At the height of the Cold War, the US maintained 17 military facilities in Greenland, but these were gradually closed, with only Pituffik Air Base remaining in the northern part of the island. In January, President Trump withdrew his threat to annex Greenland. The US, Denmark, and Greenland subsequently formed a working group to address Washington's security concerns. Officials from Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly emphasized that only Greenland has the right to decide its future.
In an interview with Sermitsiaq, Landry also discussed Greenland's prospects for economic independence, suggesting opportunities for the island's residents to move away from dependence on Denmark. However, Landry's presence in the capital Nuuk caused controversy as he visited without an official invitation from local authorities. The delegation also included an American doctor to "assess medical needs" there, which angered Greenland's chief medical officer, Anna Wangenheim, who retorted that the island's people "are not guinea pigs in a geopolitical project."
Greenland Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated that while Washington's messages of "controlling Greenland" were disrespectful, local officials still wanted to find solutions through dialogue. After meeting with Landry on 18/5, Nielsen described the exchanges as "constructive," but said he saw no signs that the US stance had changed.
Thanh Danh (According to AFP)
