PoliticoUS reopens consulate in Greenland amid power competition with China and Russia
- Reopening of consulate also comes after Trump considered purchasing Greenland last summer
- The US last had a consulate in the capital Nuuk during the 1940s and 1950s
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Sarah Cammarata on politico.com on June 10, 2020
The US on Wednesday reopened a diplomatic outpost in the capital of Greenland, the second consulate in the strategic location besides Iceland, as part of a recent push from the White House to expand US presence in the Arctic to curb Russian and Chinese influence.
The announcement from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo comes just one day after the White House directed agencies to come up with a plan to develop a new fleet of icebreakers to ensure a “persistent” US presence in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
The reopening of the consulate also comes after US President Donald Trump considered purchasing Greenland last summer, a proposition that began with a Wall Street Journal report on the purchase and ended with Trump cancelling a trip to Copenhagen. The move Wednesday is a complete departure from that effort, and is tied to a renewed interest in the Arctic.
The reopening of the consulate in Nuuk reflects “America’s commitment to deepening our cooperation with the people of Greenland and the entire Kingdom of Denmark. Our presence in Nuuk will enhance the prosperity we share with our friends in Denmark and Greenland, as we work together with other Arctic allies and partners to ensure the stability and sustainability of development in the region,” Pompeo said in a statement.