US President Donald Trump announced Friday an agreement with Denmark that would grant Washington "permanent control" over Greenland's security and prevent adversaries such as Russia and China from establishing bases on the Arctic island.
Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly stressed the need for Washington to control Greenland for strategic reasons, even threatening to annex the vast, self-governing Danish territory. This has alarmed Denmark and other US allies in NATO.
Both Denmark and Greenland welcomed the agreement and confirmed that it would be signed on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting scheduled for next week in New York.
However, the terms of the agreement remain unclear, while Denmark maintains that its sovereignty is not compromised.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the agreement in a statement as one that "recognizes both the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and the right of the people of Greenland to self-determination."
For his part, Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform, "I am pleased to announce that the United States of America has entered into an agreement with the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland, giving the United States permanent control over security and all other needs in Greenland."
He added, "From now on, no adversary of the United States will be able to establish a base in Greenland, have a military presence there, or make sensitive investments there, without our express written consent."
He emphasized, "This is an indefinite agreement, with no end in sight," indicating that Washington would immediately begin establishing a substantial military presence in the territory.
- "A good deal" -
Trump has repeatedly warned of Russian and Chinese attempts to establish bases in Greenland amid the escalating competition for control of natural resources and new sea routes as sea ice melts.
However, the US State Department confirmed that the agreement guarantees that this will not be allowed.
A State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "The agreement explicitly guarantees the United States the full authority to take whatever actions it deems necessary in Greenland to secure and defend the American continent, including permanent access rights, the establishment of military bases, and overflight rights."
He added, "The agreement ensures that China and Russia cannot establish bases in Greenland or send troops there, and it provides the necessary mechanisms to prevent investment in sensitive sectors."
Trump reached an agreement with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the Davos Economic Forum in January regarding the future of Greenland, though its details remained unclear.
On Monday, the Danish Prime Minister expressed her optimism, anticipating that the negotiations underway with the United States and Greenland since the beginning of the year would resolve the dispute.
On Friday, she affirmed that there were "prospects for reaching a good agreement for Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark, and the United States," adding that the agreement is "good for NATO and for Europe."
For his part, Greenland's Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen said the agreement "strengthens" the territory's security.
- Tensions with NATO -
Trump did not disclose any details about the terms of the agreement, and it remains unclear whether it is related to or separate from the agreement with Rutte.
However, several media outlets reported that the United States intends to establish new military bases in southern Greenland, in addition to the Petavik base it already established in the north of the island.
Under a 1951 defense agreement updated in 2004, Washington can already expand its military presence and facilities on the island, provided it notifies the Danish and Greenlandic authorities in advance.
When the crisis surrounding Greenland intensified, Trump did not rule out using force to take control of the island, raising concerns within the European Union and NATO.
However, he later backed down from his threats as tensions eased, and NATO launched a new mission to bolster security in the Arctic Circle, a gesture intended to appease Trump.
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