US in Talks With Denmark Over New Greenland Bases

The United States is in regular talks with Denmark about expanding its military presence in Greenland, according to the BBC. Several sources said Washington wants to open three new bases in the south of the island, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.

The discussions follow diplomatic tensions triggered by President Donald Trump, who said earlier this year that the US should “own” Greenland to counter the growing influence of Russia and China.

The White House confirmed ongoing talks with both Copenhagen and the Greenlandic government, but did not disclose details.

The new facilities would focus mainly on monitoring Russian and Chinese maritime activity in the North Atlantic, including the area between Greenland, Iceland and Britain known as the GIUK Gap. One base could be built at Narsarsuaq, on the site of a former US military facility.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the talks were moving in the “right direction”, but stressed that Greenland “is not for sale” and would not be subject to a takeover. Reuters has also reported that Nielsen confirmed talks with the US over a possible increase in American military presence on the island.

(bbc, bak)