In light of growing geopolitical competition in the Arctic, candidate for US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the need to strengthen the American presence in the region, including Greenland. He noted that the melting of Arctic ice is opening up new shipping routes that could significantly reduce the time and cost of transporting goods between Europe, Asia and North America. In his opinion, the US should actively participate in ensuring freedom of navigation and preventing possible monopolization of these routes by other powers.

Greenland, with its strategic location in the Arctic, plays a key role in controlling North Atlantic shipping lanes. The United States already has a military presence on the island, including the Thule Air Force Base, which houses early-warning radars. However, Rubio believes that this is not enough to effectively counter the growing influence of countries like Russia and China, which are actively developing their Arctic infrastructure and seeking to strengthen their presence in the region.

Rubio also noted that a stronger U.S. presence in Greenland could help strengthen relations with Denmark, which has sovereignty over the island. He emphasized that cooperation with allies and partners in the Arctic is an important element of U.S. national security strategy. In this regard, he supported President-elect Donald Trump’s recent proposal to appoint Ken Howery as U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, which he believes could help strengthen bilateral relations and work together in the Arctic region.

Rubio also expressed concern about the environmental risks associated with Arctic development. He emphasized the need to develop and implement strict environmental standards to prevent potential disasters and preserve the unique Arctic ecosystem. In his opinion, the United States should play a leading role in international efforts to ensure sustainable development of the Arctic, combining economic interests with a responsible attitude to the environment.