A high-level delegation from the US Senate arrived in Greenland on Monday for a diplomatic visit aimed primarily at rebuilding recently strained trust and containing tensions stemming from President Donald Trump's statements and his expressed desire to acquire the island. The visit comes at a critical juncture for relations between Washington, Copenhagen, and Nuuk, amid growing concerns about the impact of these political tensions on the strategic alliance in the Arctic region.
Messages of reassurance from Congress
The American delegation included prominent figures from both parties, led by Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski, Independent Senator Angus King, and Democrats Gary Peters and Maggie Hassan. At a press conference held during the visit, Murkowski spoke frankly, reflecting the depth of the crisis: "With a few sentences and a few words, the trust built since World War II has been eroded and shattered, and we must work diligently to rebuild it." The senator emphasized that the delegation came to assure their Greenland partners that Congress has a central and independent role in shaping foreign policy, and that the president's statements do not necessarily represent the full institutional position of the United States.
The strategic importance of Greenland
This visit cannot be separated from the escalating geopolitical context in the Arctic region. Greenland is not merely an icy island; it is a strategically vital location for US national security and NATO. Its importance stems from its geographical position as a gateway to the Arctic, a region witnessing increasing international competition among major powers, particularly Russia and China, for control of natural resources and the new shipping routes opened up by melting ice.
The delegation visited the US military base in Petofik (formerly Thule Air Base), which is the cornerstone of the missile early warning system for the United States and its allies, confirming that the security dimension remains the primary driver of US interest in the island.
Between sovereignty and partnership
The US delegation met with Greenland's Prime Minister, Jens Frederik Nielsen, and Foreign Minister Viviane Motzfeldt. Discussions focused on emphasizing partnership rather than ownership. Senator Gary Peters stated, "We now need to rebuild trust... We promise you friendship, and we want you to promise us friendship too." This measured diplomatic approach is seen as an attempt to mitigate the impact of Trump's remarks last January, in which he threatened to take control of the island before backtracking and announcing a framework for negotiations through NATO.
Historical background and Danish position
Historically, the United States has attempted to purchase Greenland on several occasions, most notably through President Harry Truman's offer in 1946. However, international dynamics today are radically different. Denmark and Greenland firmly assert that sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable red lines, while demonstrating flexibility in security and military cooperation to address shared challenges. A working group comprising representatives from all three parties has been established to explore ways to enhance cooperation without compromising the sovereign rights of the island's inhabitants.
