As US ties fray, Europe plans first undersea cable link to Greenland
Europe's Pan-Arctic Cable will bypass US to link Canada, Japan, and South Korea.
The European Union is set to establish the first subsea Internet cable directly linking Europe to Greenland, according to a policy document published on October 20, 2026. This ambitious project, known as the Pan-Arctic Cable, could potentially extend to Canada and eventually connect with Japan and South Korea, ultimately circumventing the United States.
The European Commission's joint communication outlines this European Union flagship initiative, emphasizing the creation of a sovereign, secure, and resilient submarine cable connection linking Greenland directly to the EU. The document also hints at the possibility of involving like-minded partners such as Canada to facilitate future cable expansion towards Asia.
Elisabeth Braw, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, remarked on the significance of this development, noting that just five years ago, the idea would have been considered commercially unattractive. Braw highlighted the project as a reflection of current trends and a sign of the evolving global maritime order.
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