Groenlandia: Trump, Secret Military Base & Arctic Pollution

A complex history of environmental neglect and strategic overreach underlies the current tensions surrounding Greenland. A striking paradox exists: the nation positioning itself to protect Greenland is simultaneously responsible for pollution that climate change is now revealing, and has not taken responsibility for it. This legacy stems from a facility constructed in 1959, initially presented as a scientific base, but in reality, the headquarters for Project Iceworm, a top-secret American plan to build an underground city with a network of tunnels capable of housing hundreds of nuclear missiles aimed at the Soviet Union.

Camp Century also housed a powerful nuclear reactor installed solely for military purposes. When the base was decommissioned in 1967, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers removed only the reactor, leaving behind tons of wastewater, uninventoried infrastructure, chemical waste, and an estimated 200,000 liters of fuel beneath the ice, under the assumption that perpetual snowfall would keep it buried. This premise has been undermined by the effects of climate change.

A 2016 investigation by the American Geophysical Research Letters warned that, if warming trends continued, Camp Century would transition from accumulating snow to melting it by 2090, releasing the hidden waste and contaminating marine ecosystems vital to local hunting and fishing communities.

A “Handful of Dollars”

Following a series of perceived slights, including threats to European allies, former President Trump initially hinted and then explicitly stated, in his characteristic manner, that the Arctic island – with shared sovereignty between Denmark and Greenland – was worth $700 billion. His reasoning, framed in financial terms, suggested that the island’s 57,000 Inuit and European inhabitants would each receive $12,280,702 and a few cents.

Prior to assuming office on January 20, 2025, Trump addressed the Greenlandic people, promising to make them “very, very rich” and assuring them of his enduring affection. The White House communicated through the press – on both sides, but reliably for the government – that the sale price of Greenland had been determined by a group of “independent experts and former officials” coordinated by Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban exiles from Miami.

Questions arise regarding the independence of these experts, given their selection, hiring, and payment by Trump. However, such considerations are secondary in the realm of imperial politics. It would be worthwhile to know if those tasked with valuing the island came from the world of real estate, like the president, and how they assessed national sovereignty, patriotism, and belonging.

Venezuelan playwright Isaac Chocrón’s 1960s work, “De Asia y el Lejano Oriente,” depicted a strategically valuable, unnamed country offered for sale to its inhabitants by an emissary of a powerful empire, with the promise of immense wealth. To appear transparent, the emissary proposed a plebiscite for the inhabitants to vote on the sale.

Chocrón did not explore the legal validity of the transaction or the value of intangible assets. The play was censored, but received acclaim in Uruguay, Chile, and Venezuela. The actions of President Trump are concerning given his position as commander-in-chief of the world’s most powerful military, and the lack of restraint shown by his advisors.

Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, revealed a previously undisclosed conversation with Trump from 2018. While serving as Governor of South Dakota, Trump confided in her his desire to be sculpted alongside Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln on Mount Rushmore, believing himself “chosen by the forces of heaven” to complete a 250-year cycle begun with the 1776 Declaration of Independence.

During an interview with The New York Times, Noem recounted this confession, which the newspaper had independently verified. Trump reportedly added, on January 9th, as reported by David E. Sanger, his national security correspondent: “Greenland is psychologically key for me.”

The European arms industry is poised to benefit from the geopolitical tensions fueled by these actions. In the first two weeks of the year, the sector anticipated exceptional gains for 2026, surpassing those of 2025 and the previous decade. The perceived threat of potential U.S. military interventions – in Cuba, Colombia, Iran, Africa, and Greenland – has spurred a global arms race, and renewed calls for an independent European defense system.

Airbus, Safran, and Rolls-Royce collectively represent 53.8% of the sector’s capitalization. As of January 22nd, Rheinmetall, a German company, had experienced the largest absolute increase in market capitalization, followed by BAE Systems (UK) and Airbus. The Financial Times reported that the Stoxx Europe Aerospace and Defense index rose nearly 15% in the first 20 days of January, exceeding its record growth from the previous year, triggered by the crisis in Ukraine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Project Iceworm?

Project Iceworm was a highly classified American plan initiated in 1959 to construct an underground city within the Greenland ice sheet, designed to house hundreds of nuclear missiles aimed at the Soviet Union.

What environmental concerns exist at Camp Century?

Camp Century, the base for Project Iceworm, left behind tons of wastewater, chemical waste, and approximately 200,000 liters of fuel beneath the ice when it was decommissioned in 1967. Climate change is now threatening to release these contaminants into the surrounding marine ecosystems.

What was the proposed price for Greenland?

Former President Trump suggested that Greenland was worth $700 billion, estimating that each of the island’s 57,000 inhabitants would receive approximately $12,280,702.

Given the historical context and current geopolitical climate, what implications might these events have for the future of the Arctic region?