Landry referred to US President Donald Trump’s efforts to “reoccupy certain bases in Greenland.” The US reportedly wants to open three new bases in southern Greenland.
A defense agreement between the United States and Denmark concluded in 1951 and updated in 2004 gives Washington more or less a free hand in deploying soldiers to the Arctic island – as long as the authorities in Denmark and Greenland are informed in advance.
During the Cold War, the United States had 17 military bases in Greenland. However, these have been closed over the years. All that remained was the Pituffik base in the north of the island.
Landry was appointed by Trump as his special envoy to Greenland in December. The Republican governor of Louisiana arrived on Sunday for his controversial visit to the Arctic island. On Monday, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said after a meeting with the US envoy that the conversation had been “constructive” but there had been “no signs” of a changing US stance. Greenland’s Foreign Minister Mute Egede then spoke of his government’s “red lines”.
Since his return to the White House in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly claimed ownership of Greenland, thereby provoking a conflict with the EU and NATO allies. The US President points to the threat of an expansion of China and Russia’s presence in the Arctic region.
Trump backed away from his threat to simply take over Greenland in January. Instead, the USA, Denmark and Greenland set up a joint working group.
