US needs to 'put its footprint back on Greenland', says Trump envoy
Key takeaways
- US special envoy to Greenland Jeff Landry said on Wednesday Washington needed to rebuild its presence on the Arctic island, where the United States once operated 17 military facilities during the Cold War.
- By: FRANCE 24 US special envoy to Greenland, Republican Louisiana Gov.
- At the height of the Cold War, Washington had 17 military facilities in Greenland, but closed them over the years and currently has just one -- the Pituffik base in the north of the island.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
US special envoy to Greenland Jeff Landry said on Wednesday Washington needed to rebuild its presence on the Arctic island, where the United States once operated 17 military facilities during the Cold War. President Donald Trump has repeatedly argued US control of Greenland is vital to prevent China or Russia gaining influence.
By: FRANCE 24 US special envoy to Greenland, Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, center, talks with others in Nuuk, Greenland, May 20, 2026 © Christian Klindt Soelbeck/Ritzau, AP The US special envoy to Greenland, the Arctic island coveted by President Donald Trump, told AFP on Wednesday that Washington needs to rebuild its presence in the Danish autonomous territory.
At the height of the Cold War, Washington had 17 military facilities in Greenland, but closed them over the years and currently has just one -- the Pituffik base in the north of the island.