EU readies expanded Greenland investment amid US control claims

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to announce increased European Union investment in Greenland, broadening existing support for fishing rights and education to include critical minerals, satellite communications and renewable energy.

Von der Leyen arrived in Nuuk on Sunday for a two-day visit intended to signal support for Greenland and Denmark. She said the proposed package would be “substantial”, but its value, allocations and terms have not been disclosed.

Greenland Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen said Greenland wanted to build on its “close friendship and good partnership” with the EU. The European Commission has described the package as both an increase in funding and an expansion of the sectors receiving EU support.

The visit comes as US President Donald Trump continues to call for American control of Greenland, claims rejected by Greenland and Denmark. Trilateral talks involving the United States, Denmark and Greenland have yet to produce an agreement.

Greenland is a semi-autonomous part of the Danish realm and left the EU in 1985, although its residents retain Danish and EU citizenship. Its strategic importance has grown as climate change opens Arctic shipping routes and may improve access to mineral resources.

Greenland is covered by NATO’s mutual defence pact, while the United States already has treaty rights to increase its military presence there. The proposed EU investment signals closer political and economic engagement, but does not itself establish new security commitments.