Home · World · Sep 19 archive
Trump Announces US Permanent Control Over Greenland Security
Confirmed
In Short: US President Donald Trump said Washington has entered into an agreement with Denmark and Greenland for permanent control over security and other needs.
US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the United States has entered into an agreement with Denmark and Greenland, granting the US permanent control over security and 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 added 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 plan to sign a US defense pact next week during the United Nations General Assembly session, pending approval from both parliaments.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the deal with the US “strengthens” the territory’s security.
The agreement includes barring any US adversary from establishing military bases or stationing personnel in Greenland without written authorization from the US.
According to a State Department official, the agreement explicitly bans any non-NATO base or troop presence in Greenland and includes screening mechanisms intended to block investments from Russia and China.
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 New York City.
The deal also recognizes Greenland’s interests and its place in international cooperation, while ensuring and strengthening the security of Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark, the United States, and the Western alliance.
A State Department official told NBC News that the agreement will remain fully in effect “forever,” including “if Greenland becomes a fully independent country” from Denmark.
Despite 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.
Trump and others within his administration have frequently said they would like to see Greenland become a US territory or state, with Vice President JD Vance traveling there in March 2025.
What this adds
The agreement grants the US permanent basing and overflight rights in Greenland.
It is unclear whether Trump fully 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.
- The deal includes barring any U.S. adversary from ever being able to have a base or military presence in Greenland, or “make sensitive investments” there without written approval from the U.S., Trump said.
- 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.
- “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.
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.
- 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’s thought that Donald Trump will look to expand the number of US bases in Greenland. He sees it as an important step in his Golden Dome missile programme. He wanted to place interceptors and also trackers there,” Fisher said.
- In a separate statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the deal “permanently and completely” addressed Washington’s national security concerns with respect to the island.
- Since Trump began pushing to acquire Greenland, he has been met with opposition, not just from the people of the Arctic island and Denmark, but also from America’s European allies.
- The president has eyed Greenland since before he returned to the White House in January 2025, arguing that the U.S.