US negotiating establishment of new bases in Greenland in high level talks with Denmark - report

Lead

The United States has been holding regular negotiations with Denmark to expand its military presence in Greenland, with talks progressing in recent months, according to multiple officials familiar with the discussions. US officials are seeking to open three new bases in the south of the territory, a semi-autonomous part of Denmark, as they work to resolve a diplomatic crisis sparked by President Donald Trump's earlier threats to seize Greenland by force.

The White House confirmed the administration was engaged in high-level talks with Greenland and Denmark, but declined to comment on details. A White House official told the BBC that the administration was "very optimistic" the talks were headed in the right direction. Denmark's foreign ministry also confirmed the talks, with a spokesperson saying: "There is an ongoing diplomatic track with the United States. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not go into further detail at this time."

Coverage comparison

Reporting on the negotiations has been consistent across outlets, with the BBC and the Jerusalem Post both citing multiple officials familiar with the discussions. The BBC's report, which appears to be the primary source for much of the coverage, details the US proposal for three new bases in southern Greenland, with a focus on surveillance of potential Russian and Chinese maritime activity in the GIUK Gap—the stretch of the northern Atlantic between Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom.

The Jerusalem Post, citing the BBC, reported the same core facts: the US is looking to open three new bases, and has suggested they be formally designated as US sovereign territory. The Hindu's coverage adds a key perspective from Greenland's Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who said negotiations are making progress but no deal has been reached. The Hindu also notes that a 1951 defence pact, updated in 2004, already allows the US to expand its military operations in Greenland with approval from Denmark and Greenland.

A separate report from The Hindu, focused on Canada's Arctic security, provides additional context: Canada is strengthening ties and exchanging security tips with Nordic countries, including Greenland and Denmark, as Prime Minister Mark Carney pivots away from relying on the US to protect its Arctic territory.

Key claims

• The US wants to open three new military bases in southern Greenland, according to multiple officials familiar with the negotiations, as reported by the BBC and the Jerusalem Post.
• The bases would primarily focus on surveillance of potential Russian and Chinese activity in the northern Atlantic, specifically the GIUK Gap, officials told the BBC.
• The US has suggested that the three new bases be formally designated as US sovereign territory, according to one source with knowledge of the negotiations, as reported by the BBC and the Jerusalem Post.
• A 1951 defence pact, updated in 2004, allows the US to expand its military operations in Greenland with approval from Denmark and Greenland, as reported by The Hindu.
• Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated that negotiations between Denmark, Greenland, and the US are making progress but no deal has been reached, as reported by The Hindu.
• Denmark has been without a government since a general election on March 24, as reported by The Hindu.
• Canada is strengthening ties and exchanging security tips with Nordic countries, including Greenland and Denmark, as reported by The Hindu.

Perspectives

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen: In a speech to the Copenhagen Democracy Summit, Nielsen said: "We are negotiating but we don't have an agreement." He added: "It's difficult for me to be concrete about the conversations in the working group but we have taken some steps in the right direction." He also said Greenland is ready to take on more responsibility in terms of national and international security, with the only demand being respect.

The White House: A White House official told the BBC the administration was "very optimistic" the talks were headed in the right direction. A separate White House statement, quoted by The Hindu, said the administration is "participating in diplomatic high-level technical talks with the governments of Greenland and Denmark to address the United States' national security interests in Greenland."

Denmark's Foreign Ministry: A spokesperson confirmed the talks but declined to provide details, saying: "There is an ongoing diplomatic track with the United States. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not go into further detail at this time."

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney: As reported by The Hindu, Carney is strengthening ties with Nordic countries, which he describes as trusted partners, as part of an effort to strengthen alliances between "middle powers" in a world where the US is considered a less reliable partner.