U.S. and European officials see no Chinese or Russian military threat to Greenland

U.S. and European officials say they are unaware of intelligence showing China or Russia is endangering Greenland, which falls under the NATO security umbrella, even as President Trump has repeatedly cited security as his reason for wanting to acquire the island. Chinese activity in the Arctic drew attention after a Chinese icebreaker, the Snow Dragon, crossed the Arctic Ocean 14 years ago, and Beijing has talked about expanding trade, shipping lanes and resource access.

But the reporting says China has developed only a small footprint in the region. China and Russia do collect some intelligence near Greenland—largely focused on the U.S. Pituffik Space Base—and Russian submarines and other assets have operated in the area, officials said, yet allied officials called no imminent threat apparent.

U.S. officials noted Greenland remains covered by a 1951 U.S.-Denmark pact under which the United States could expand its military presence; Denmark has said it would welcome more American troops. Former and current analysts quoted in the reporting said China’s military buildup is focused mainly on the Asia-Pacific and that China is not an Arctic power in any full sense, while China’s Arctic goals are largely commercial and diplomatic, discussed in venues such as the Arctic Council.

Mr.

Key Topics

Politics, Greenland, Pituffik Space Base, Nato, China, Russia