US in closely-guarded talks to open new bases in Greenland
Key takeaways
- Trump said in January that the US should "own" Greenland to prevent Russia or China from taking it.
- The White House confirmed the administration was engaged in high-level talks with Greenland and Denmark, but declined to comment on details of the negotiations.
- Denmark has previously expressed a willingness to discuss additional American military bases in Greenland, and its foreign ministry confirmed talks with the US were taking place.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Daniel Bush Washington correspondent Reuters Vice-President JD Vance toured the US military's only base on the territory earlier this year The US has been holding regular negotiations with Denmark to expand its military presence in Greenland, according to multiple officials familiar with the discussions, with talks between both sides progressing in recent months.
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 when he threatened to seize Greenland by force.
Trump said in January that the US should "own" Greenland to prevent Russia or China from taking it. He said this could happen the "easy way " or "the hard way".