The historical colonial ties between Greenland, Denmark, and the United States continue to shape their contemporary interactions.
In the intricate dance of international relations, few relationships are as complex as that between the United States and Greenland. This dynamic is deeply shaped by a historical and contemporary context involving colonial memory politics, sovereignty, and strategic interests.
Greenland, a Danish colony for centuries, later becoming an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, carries a legacy of colonialism that continues to influence local perspectives on governance and foreign relations. The US has maintained a strategic presence in Greenland, particularly through military bases established under the 1951 defense treaty with Denmark, such as Pituffik (Thule) Air Base.
Colonial memory politics in Greenland involve a growing assertion of self-determination and resistance to foreign domination. This has led to strong opposition within Greenland to any attempts to undermine its autonomy or sovereignty. For instance, President Donald Trump’s 2019 proposal to buy Greenland was met with unified and firm rejection by both Greenlandic political parties and the Danish government.
The current dynamics between the US, Greenland, and Denmark are characterized by a delicate balancing act. The US values Greenland for its strategic Arctic location, crucial for missile early-warning systems and the emerging geopolitical competition in the Arctic region. However, American moves, such as the controversial 2025 visit by Vice President JD Vance to Pituffik, have sparked tensions due to perceived disregard for Greenlandic and Danish sovereignty and ongoing governance discussions.
Denmark and Greenland coordinate closely to oppose any suggestions of US acquisition, affirming that Greenland is not for sale and emphasizing that decisions rest with Greenland’s people under the current self-governance framework. Greenlanders generally remain open to security partnerships with the US but oppose coercion or forced acquisition, underscoring their right to self-determination shaped by their colonial past and contemporary autonomy aspirations.
Astrid Nonbo Andersen, a Senior Researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, will present at an event organised by the Center for the Sociology of Organisations, Center for International Studies, and Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics at Sciences Po/CNRS. Her primary research focus is on historical justice and the politics of history and memory theory, with a particular emphasis on Scandinavia and Greenland.
The visit by Donald Trump, Jr., son of the President-elect of the U.S., to Nuuk airport in Greenland on January 7th, has put pressure on the Greenlandic state formation process. The event, which is being organised by multiple centres within Sciences Po/CNRS, will provide an opportunity to delve deeper into these complex issues, offering insights into the historical and contemporary context of US-Greenland relations and the role of colonial memory politics in shaping these dynamics.
Sandrine Lefranc, a CNRS Research Director at the Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics, and Stéphanie Balme, the Director of CERI, Center for International Studies, will also be present at the event. Astrid Nonbo Andersen is also serving as a visiting professor at CSO/Sciences Po. Sarah Gensburger, another CNRS Research Director at the Center for the Sociology of Organisations, will also contribute to the discussions.
This event promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of the intricate relationship between the US, Greenland, and Denmark, offering valuable insights into the role of history, memory, and sovereignty in shaping contemporary international relations.
- Greenland's ongoing struggle for self-determination, fueled by colonial memory politics, has consistently rejected external attempts at domination, such as President Donald Trump's 2019 proposal to buy Greenland.
- The geopolitical dynamics between the US, Greenland, and Denmark are heavily influenced by the historical legacy of colonialism, strategic interests, and the contemporary strive for autonomy, a reality that will be further scrutinized at an upcoming event at Sciences Po/CNRS.
