The United States is expected to pursue a plan to own part of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, and build a military base there, instead of receiving a full transfer of the territory from Denmark. The plan is reportedly modeled on the "Sovereign Base Areas (SBA)" that the United Kingdom maintains on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus.
On the 22nd, The New York Times (NYT) reported that President Trump discussed with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) operating a military base in a specific area of Greenland where the United States could exercise sovereignty. While this is a step back from the previously demanded "full transfer of sovereignty," it is still seen as a highly unusual arrangement under international law.
This concept is said to have been designed with reference to the two sovereign bases that the United Kingdom secured when Cyprus became independent in 1960. At the time, the United Kingdom agreed to Cypriot independence but stated it would retain some territory considered strategically vital; with Türkiye, Greece and Cyprus consenting in the London-Zurich Agreements, the United Kingdom secured military bases.
The Royal Air Force currently operates sovereign bases at Akrotiri in southwestern Cyprus and Dhekelia in the southeast, and the total area of the two bases is estimated at about 259 square kilometers (about 78.34 million pyeong), or 40% of Seoul's area. The bases are classified as British overseas territories like Bermuda and the Falkland Islands and are subject to British law, but the United Kingdom may use the areas solely for military purposes. Civilian movement is also said to be unrestricted.
Experts cited "garrisoning without the burden of governance" as a reason President Trump would be interested in this model. Costas Constantinou, a professor of international relations at the University of Cyprus, said, "If the United States takes control of all of Greenland, it will have to bear administrative, political and social expense," adding, "The ability to avoid expense while placing some territory entirely under U.S. control is attractive."
In addition, the United States stands to significantly upgrade an agreement it signed with Denmark in 1951. The United States previously concluded a pact allowing it to establish as many bases as it wished in Greenland, and it currently operates the Pituffik Space Base in the northwest of Greenland, but Denmark still retains sovereignty over the base. If a sovereign base were established, the United States is expected to gain institutional authority beyond mere stationing.
However, additional negotiations would be needed to push ahead with resource development, which has drawn considerable interest. In the case of the sovereign bases in Cyprus, the United Kingdom is not granted an exclusive economic zone (EEZ), so it has no right to develop nearby natural resources. Andreas Stergiou, a professor at the University of Thessaly, noted, "With limited sovereignty, the United Kingdom has never once claimed rights to Cyprus's mineral or energy development."
Meanwhile, opposition to President Trump still appears clear within Greenland. Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said, "We are ready to discuss many issues, but sovereignty is a line that cannot be crossed," stating a firm objection. Protests against the president's plan were held across Greenland, including in the capital, Nuuk.