Denmark approves US military bases on Danish soil as Trump eyes Greenland

June 12, 2025

In a landmark move that has stirred both domestic debate and international attention, Denmark’s parliament has approved the establishment of permanent U.S. military bases on its soil. The decision, passed with a significant majority on June 11, marks a pivotal shift in Denmark’s defense posture and comes at a time when former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again expressed interest in purchasing Greenland—a semi-autonomous Danish territory.

A Major Step in Danish-U.S. Defense Ties

The new legislation expands upon a 2023 defense agreement that had previously allowed the United States limited access to Danish military infrastructure. With the new provisions in place, the U.S. will now have unhindered access to key airbases in Karup, Skrydstrup, and Aalborg, enabling them to deploy military personnel, aircraft, and other assets on both short- and long-term bases.

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen hailed the move as a necessary step toward strengthening transatlantic security cooperation. “In an increasingly unstable global environment, it is in Denmark’s national interest to deepen our ties with NATO’s leading power,” Poulsen stated during the parliamentary session.

The U.S. presence is expected to enhance NATO’s northern defense strategy, particularly in the Arctic and Baltic regions, where Russia’s military activities have become increasingly assertive in recent years.

Sovereignty Concerns and Domestic Pushback

Despite government support, the decision has not gone unchallenged. Opposition parties, civil society groups, and some constitutional scholars have expressed serious concerns over Danish sovereignty. Critics argue that permanent foreign military installations may lead to erosion of Denmark’s ability to control what happens on its own soil.

“There’s a very fine line between defense cooperation and becoming a client state,” said Lars Mikkelsen, a political analyst and former advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “We must ask ourselves—at what cost are we buying security?”

A particular sticking point has been the lack of transparency surrounding the agreement, including the legal immunities granted to U.S. forces and the status of any potential U.S. weaponry stored on Danish territory.

Trump Revives Greenland Ambitions

Adding fuel to the political fire, former President Donald Trump recently renewed his interest in purchasing Greenland, calling it a “strategic gem” during a speech at a campaign-style rally in Florida. Trump’s previous 2019 bid to buy the island was met with ridicule and outright rejection by both Denmark and Greenland’s government.

“Greenland sits atop some of the richest mineral reserves in the world and offers unmatched Arctic access,” Trump told supporters. “The United States would be foolish not to secure such a vital territory.”

Trump’s remarks have reignited diplomatic tensions. Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede promptly issued a statement rejecting any such notion: “Greenland is not for sale. We are not a commodity. We are a people with the right to self-determination.”

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen echoed the sentiment, calling Trump’s proposal “absurd” and reiterating Denmark’s commitment to Greenland’s autonomy.

U.S. Bases and the Arctic Strategy

The timing of the base agreement and Trump’s renewed Greenland ambitions has led many analysts to view the moves as interlinked. The Arctic is increasingly becoming a geostrategic hotspot, with the U.S., Russia, and China all vying for influence in the region due to its untapped natural resources and emerging sea routes.

With the approval of the bases, the U.S. now enjoys enhanced operational capabilities just south of Greenland. Some defense experts believe this could serve as a launchpad for expanded American presence in the Arctic, possibly aimed at countering Russian ambitions or bolstering future negotiations concerning Greenland.

While the Danish government insists the base agreement has built-in safeguards to protect national sovereignty—including a provision to cancel the deal if it is used to pressure Greenland into any territorial changes—the optics of the situation have drawn scrutiny.

“It’s hard to ignore the strategic implications,” said Maja Rasmussen, a professor of international relations at Copenhagen University. “Whether intentional or not, this agreement gives Washington a stronger hand in the Arctic chess game.”

What It Means for Greenland and the Arctic Future

Greenland, with its population of just over 56,000, has long walked a careful line between its cultural identity, economic needs, and geopolitical significance. While still a Danish territory, Greenland has its own government and is actively seeking more independence.

Many Greenlanders view American interest with suspicion. Although a stronger U.S. presence could bring economic investment and infrastructure upgrades, it also raises fears of exploitation and loss of autonomy.

“If there is to be any increased cooperation with the U.S., it must happen on Greenland’s terms,” said a statement from the Greenlandic Parliament. “We are not a bargaining chip in global politics.”

Conclusion: A Strategic Gamble

Denmark’s decision to allow permanent U.S. bases marks a significant development in European and Arctic security. Supporters see it as a pragmatic step to ensure protection against external threats, particularly from an increasingly assertive Russia. Critics, however, caution against the long-term implications for national sovereignty and regional stability.

As geopolitical interest in the Arctic intensifies and Trump reasserts controversial ambitions, Denmark finds itself balancing between historical alliances and the challenges of 21st-century sovereignty.

One thing is clear—the quiet Arctic is now very much at the center of global strategy, and tiny Greenland may hold the key to the next big power game.