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Trump Announces Permanent US Control Over Greenland Security
Confirmed
In Short: US President Donald Trump said Washington has reached an agreement with Denmark and Greenland for permanent security control.
US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that Washington has entered into an agreement with Denmark and Greenland, granting the US 'permanent control over security and all other needs' in the Danish territory.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said, 'At my direction, we worked with representatives of Denmark and Greenland to guarantee that the US will FOREVER have the complete ability to do what is necessary in Greenland.
Trump also announced that plans will begin immediately to build a significant US military footprint in suitable areas across Greenland, with numerous potential locations identified.
Denmark and Greenland released a joint statement on Friday indicating that a pact with the US is set to be signed during next week’s United Nations General Assembly session.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the deal with the US 'strengthens' the territory’s security.
The agreement will include barring China, Russia, and other non-NATO countries from establishing military bases or stationing personnel in Greenland unless they receive written authorization from the US.
The deal also includes screening mechanisms intended to block investments from Russia and China and bans them, and other adversaries, from making investments in Greenland that could threaten the US.
According to a State Department official, the agreement explicitly bans any non-NATO base or troop presence in Greenland and will remain fully in effect 'forever,' including if Greenland becomes a fully independent country from Denmark.
Leaders of Denmark and Greenland said in a statement Friday that Denmark, Greenland, and the US are expected to sign the agreement next week in connection with the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York City.
Despite the strong opposition to Trump’s threats, Greenland’s government had been participating in negotiations alongside Denmark and the US to find a solution on security concerns.
What this adds
The agreement grants the US permanent basing and overflight rights in Greenland.
The deal stops short of Trump's ambition to acquire Greenland outright.
It is unclear whether, or how strongly, Trump backs the emerging agreement.
Background
President Donald Trump announced a deal granting the US permanent military access and basing rights in Greenland, with no cost to the US.
What's confirmed
- United States President Donald Trump said on Friday that Washington has entered into an agreement with Denmark and Greenland that gives the US “permanent control over security and all other needs”.
- In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said, “At my direction, we worked with representatives of Denmark and Greenland to guarantee that the US will FOREVER have the complete ability to do what is necessary in Greenland”.
- Denmark and Greenland released a joint statement on Friday indicating that a pact with the US is set to be signed during next week’s United Nations General Assembly session.
- Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the deal with the US “strengthens” the territory’s security.
- The U.S. will now have permanent basing and overflight rights.
- It also includes screening mechanisms intended to block investments from Russia and China and bans them, and other adversaries, from making investments in Greenland that could threaten the U.S. “Greenland will forever be part of the strategic defense area of North America and exclude any adversary from it and the surrounding area,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.
What's still developing
- Also read: US military AI blunder: False intelligence on Chinese ship ‘almost started a war,’ report claims Earlier, Reuters reported that the United States and Denmark are closing in on a potential deal over the status of Greenland that would give the US military an expanded presence on the island, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.
- Any potential accord would stop well short of US President Donald Trump's ambition to acquire Greenland outright, said the people, who requested anonymity.
- It is unclear whether, or how strongly, Trump backs the emerging agreement.
- "This deal permanently and completely addresses our national security concerns in Greenland," he told Fox News.
- She described the deal as “an agreement that strengthens our common security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic area and is therefore also good for NATO and Europe,” Frederiksen wrote.
- “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.
- Trump and others within his administration have frequently said they would like to see Greenland become a U.S. territory or state, with Vice President JD Vance traveling there in March 2025.
- The president has said that part of his reasoning for wanting control of Greenland is because of concerns that Russian and Chinese military forces could move into the area should the U.S. not have a stronger presence on land, which holds key natural resources and sits along important shipping routes.