The Chinese government is trying to increase its relations with Greenland, like the United States, for mainly the same reasons, the U.S. intelligence committee warned in an annual report released Tuesday.
President Donald Trump and his administration have publicly and repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring the strategically located and mineral-rich island near the critically important Arctic Circle, though it’s unclear how exactly the administration could make that happen. Several Greenlandic leaders have rebuked Trump, who called the U.S.’s acquisition of Greenland an “absolute necessity,” and he refused to rule out using military force or economic coercion.
“China has gradually increased engagement with Greenland mainly through mining projects, infrastructure development, and scientific research projects,” the 2025 Office of the Director of National Intelligence annual threats assessment said.
“Despite less active engagement right now,” it continued, “China’s long-term goal is to expand access to Greenland’s natural resources, as well as to use the same access as a key strategic foothold for advancing China’s broader and economic aims in the Arctic.”
China, which is approximately 900 miles away from the Arctic Circle, declared itself a “near-Arctic” state in 2018, an invented self-designation with no legal standing. Increasing its relations with Greenland could further its ties to the Arctic Circle.
China and Russia strengthened their relationship over the course of the war in Ukraine. The U.S. and the West sought to isolate Moscow, but other anti-western countries such as China, Iran, and North Korea all came to Russia’s aid throughout the conflict. Beijing has aided Russia’s defense industrial base, while North Korea and Iran both provided weapons for use in Ukraine.
“Russia’s relationship with China has helped Moscow circumvent sanctions and export
controls to continue the war effort, maintain a strong market for energy products, and promote a
global counterweight to the United States, even if at the cost of greater vulnerability to Chinese
influence,” the ODNI assessment said.
Russia controls nearly half of the entire Arctic coastline.
Multiple U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance, his wife, second lady Usha, national security adviser Mike Waltz, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, are set to travel to Greenland later this week.
The Vances will travel to the Pituffik Space Base to receive a briefing on Arctic security on Friday, according to the vice president’s office. Pituffik Space Base, which the Space Force’s 821st Space Base Group operates, is the northernmost U.S. military installation.
Prior to the announcement that the vice president would join the delegation, outgoing Greenland Prime Minister Mute B. Egede said Usha Vance and Waltz’s trip was a “very aggressive” bid to seize the Arctic island.
“Because what is the security advisor doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to show a demonstration of power to us, and the signal is not to be misunderstood,” the prime minister added. “He is Trump’s confidential and closest advisor, and his presence in Greenland alone will certainly make the Americans believe in Trump’s mission, and the pressure will increase after the visit.”
USHA VANCE AND US OFFICIALS TO VISIT GREENLAND AS TRUMP TEASES TAKEOVER
Egede’s expected successor, Jens Frederik Nielsen, said the timing of the U.S. delegation’s visit showed “a lack of respect.”
Greenland is a territory of Denmark. While there are local lawmakers who support gaining complete independence from Denmark, there is little to no support for joining the United States.
