The US, Denmark, and Greenland agree on a security framework for Greenland after months of Trump pressure.
The United States, Denmark, and Greenland agreed in principle to increase security in Greenland and the broader Arctic and North Atlantic region, the three governments and U.S. President Donald Trump said in statements.
The deal is expected to be signed next week at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. It will then need to go through parliamentary procedures before taking effect, the Danish prime minister’s office said.
The statement comes after months of tension, with Trump repeatedly calling for increased U.S. control of Greenland, including comments in which he refused to rule out the use of force to acquire the strategically located Danish territory.
Under the deal, the United States would have “permanent control” over Greenland’s security and be able to take measures it sees fit to defend the island and U.S. interests, Trump said on Truth Social.
The deal would also prevent U.S. adversaries from maintaining military bases or making sensitive investments in Greenland without U.S. approval, he said. The proposed deal would give the United States permanent access, basing, and overflight rights and allow it to ramp up its military presence, Reuters said.
But the full text of the agreement has not been made public, leaving important questions about the precise scope of those provisions.
Denmark and Greenland highlight sovereignty.
The agreement is a way to bolster security in the Arctic and North Atlantic, said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, adding that it recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and the right of the people of Greenland to self-determination.
“The agreement recognizes Greenland’s interests and role in international cooperation,” said Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Greenland’s government leader.
The statements from Copenhagen and Nuuk contradict Trump’s description of the deal as granting the United States permanent security control over Greenland. It's not clear what the exact relationship is between those descriptions until the agreement is formally signed and the text of the agreement is released.
What the reported deal would mean
Under the proposed arrangement, the United States could build more military facilities in Greenland without needing approval from Greenland or Denmark, a U.S. official said. The official also described permanent U.S. access and basing and overflight rights.
According to the report, the proposed deal would prohibit non-NATO countries from setting up military bases on the island and prevent U.S. rivals from investing in sensitive sectors. The U.S. official pointed to Russia and China specifically.
Those provisions would extend the U.S. military rights already in place in Greenland rather than create a new American military relationship with the island.
The United States and Denmark have had a defense pact concerning Greenland since 1951. A 2004 agreement amended that framework to include Greenland’s Home Rule government. The 2004 agreement designated Thule Air Base, now Pituffik Space Base, the only U.S. defense area at the time, and established procedures for consultation on major modifications to U.S. military operations and facilities.
The U.S. already has a military presence at Pituffik Space Base in northwest Greenland. The base is of strategic importance for missile warning, space surveillance, and Arctic operations.
A different result than what Trump asked for before
What is emerging is not a transfer of sovereignty over Greenland to the United States.
Trump had previously suggested buying Greenland and argued repeatedly that the island was of strategic importance to U.S. national security due to its Arctic location, military importance, and mineral resources. His comments sparked tensions with fellow NATO member Denmark and came along with repeated assurances from Danish and Greenlandic leaders that the people of Greenland would decide their own political future.
Rather, the proposed agreement keeps Greenland within the Kingdom of Denmark but expands the scope for U.S. security activities on the island.
The distinction matters because although Greenland has its own government and parliament, it is still part of the Kingdom of Denmark, which remains responsible for areas such as foreign and security policy.
Greenland’s strategic importance
Greenland’s location is strategically important, as it is located between North America and Europe and along lines of communication that are critical to Arctic military and commercial activity.
The island also has deposits of rare earth elements and other minerals deemed strategically important for industries such as electronics, renewable-energy technologies, and electric vehicles.
Trump also tied Greenland to his administration’s plans for the “Golden Dome” missile-defense system, saying the island’s geography could help protect the U.S. against long-range missile threats.
The text of the new pact has not been released to the public, so the exact military, investment, and legal provisions are not known for now.
The next big step is expected to be the signing of the pact at the UN General Assembly. Its legal effect will depend on the subsequent parliamentary procedures in Denmark and Greenland.
