Greenland businesses see growth potential in expanded US military presence

Greenland’s business community sees opportunities for growth if the United States expands its military presence on the island, while Danish business organisations are primarily welcoming the stability they hope will follow from an agreement between the United States, Greenland and Denmark, DR reports.

Business organisations in both Denmark and Greenland say they are encouraged by the agreement but are waiting for it to be signed before celebrating fully.

Christian Keldsen, director of Greenland Business, said US military bases around the world often rely on local suppliers and services, even when American companies are also involved.

“From the perspective of Greenland’s business community, there are opportunities to service these bases in various ways, just as we have been accustomed to doing with the American and Danish armed forces,” he said.

Keldsen said Greenland should begin viewing military activity as a pillar of its economy, particularly given the strong focus on Arctic security in recent years. He also pointed to Greenland’s historical experience of supplying the US presence, which was previously larger.

“It can make us more skilled and capable and provide more apprenticeships, so there are many very positive things for Greenlandic society in this,” he said.

Greenland currently has one active, permanent US base, Pituffik Space Base.

In Denmark, Dansk Erhverv and the Confederation of Danish Industry said they were relieved that an agreement could help create stability.

“The United States is our largest and most important trading partner. This trade has only grown while Donald Trump has been president. Therefore, we need as much stability and order as possible,” said Jakob Ellemann-Jensen, deputy director of Dansk Erhverv.

He said the agreement could provide security for investors coming to Greenland to strengthen its economy, as well as for Danish investments on the island. However, he said he would wait until the agreement had been signed.

Lars Sandahl Sørensen, director of the Confederation of Danish Industry, said he hoped the agreement would establish long-term conditions acceptable to all parties and safeguard Greenland’s right to determine its own development.

He also said Danish companies could have opportunities in what he expects to be major investments in defence, energy, infrastructure and other areas, depending on decisions made by Greenland’s population.

The Confederation of Danish Industry is already in dialogue with Greenland’s government about where future investment is wanted, Sørensen said.

The agreement is expected to be signed by US President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen at a ceremony in the United States next week.