U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent looks on as he speaks to the media, following the trade talks between the United States and China, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Oct. 26, 2025. Hasnoor Hussain/Reuters
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said in Davos that the U.S. acquisition of Greenland is “essential” to the Golden Dome missile defense program, designed to stop missiles from adversaries such as China, North Korea, and Russia, which continue to develop long-range missile capabilities.
Missiles from those adversaries would travel most expediently through the Arctic if aimed at the United States, including over Greenland.
