US President Donald Trump has announced a new agreement with Denmark and Greenland that he says gives the United States “permanent control over security” in the Arctic territory.
Trump made the announcement on Friday in a post on Truth Social, describing the agreement as a response to Washington’s security concerns over Greenland.
“I am pleased to announce that the United States of America has entered into an Agreement with the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland, that gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many U.S. concerns,” the president said.
Trump has repeatedly pushed for greater US control over Greenland, at times threatening military action and saying Washington would take control “one way or the other”.
The territory is a semiautonomous part of Denmark, a NATO member, and Trump’s previous demands had caused tensions with European allies, with warnings that an attempt to seize Greenland could undermine the US-led military alliance.
Trump has argued that the United States needs greater control over Greenland to prevent Russia and China from expanding their influence in the Arctic. China, however, dismissed the argument as “an excuse” for Trump’s territorial ambitions.
Under the newly announced agreement, Greenland will remain part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the deal recognises Denmark’s “sovereignty and territorial integrity” as well as Greenlanders’ “right to self-determination.”
The full agreement has not yet been made public. However, a State Department official told NBC News that it expressly prohibits the establishment of any non-NATO military base or troop presence in Greenland.
The agreement also contains mechanisms aimed at preventing investments from Russia and China, as well as other countries considered adversaries, where such investments could pose a threat to US security interests.
Trump described the arrangement as an “Infinite Life agreement” and said it would come at “NO COST” to the United States.
He added that his administration would immediately begin working with Greenland on plans to develop a “large Military presence in the appropriate part of Greenland, of which there are many.”
The US already maintains a military installation on the island and has rights under previous agreements to expand its presence there.
American military activity in Greenland has declined substantially since the Cold War, when the territory hosted key missile early-warning infrastructure. During Trump’s first presidency, the former US Air Force base was transferred to the newly established Space Force and renamed Pituffik Space Base.
The agreement is expected to be formally signed by the United States, Denmark and Greenland next week during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, according to Denmark.
Frederiksen described the arrangement as beneficial to the broader Western alliance.
“This is an agreement that strengthens our common security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic area and is therefore also good for NATO and Europe,” the Danish Prime Minister said.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, chairman of Greenland’s government, also welcomed the agreement, saying it would serve the interests of all parties.
“It is gratifying that we are about to enter into an agreement that ensures and strengthens the security of Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark, the United States and the Western alliance. The agreement recognizes Greenland’s interests and our place in international cooperation,” Nielsen wrote.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the deal would establish Greenland as a permanent part of North America’s strategic defence area.
“Greenland will forever be part of the strategic defense area of North America and exclude any adversary from it and the surrounding area,” Rubio said. “This deal permanently and completely addresses our national security concerns in Greenland.”
A State Department official told NBC News that the agreement would remain in force “forever”, including if Greenland eventually became independent from Denmark.
“The agreement explicitly guarantees the United States the complete ability to do what it deems is necessary in Greenland in order to secure and defend the American continent, including permanent access, basing, and overflight rights,” the official said. “This agreement ensures the necessary U.S. military presence in Greenland permanently, allowing the U.S. military to increase the number of bases in Greenland as required.”
Greenland has a population of about 56,000 people and was colonised by Denmark and Norway more than three centuries ago. Despite being roughly three times the size of Texas, its appearance on traditional Mercator projection maps makes it look considerably larger than its actual size.
Beyond its strategic importance in the Arctic, Greenland is believed to possess substantial mineral resources, many of which remain undeveloped because of the island’s harsh climate.
Trump’s previous calls for US control of Greenland have generated strong opposition among Greenlanders, with polls showing widespread rejection of American annexation.
Despite that opposition, Greenland’s government has continued taking part in discussions with Denmark and the United States over Arctic security.
The Trump administration has also pursued efforts to influence the debate, including a May visit by a US special envoy to Greenland and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry.
