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Trump Announces US Control Over Greenland Security
Confirmed
In Short: US President Donald Trump says Washington has entered into an agreement with Denmark and Greenland for permanent US control over Greenland's security.
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 Greenland's security.
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, noting there are numerous potential locations.
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 still need approval from both parliaments before it can be finalized.
The deal includes “permanent access, basing and overflights rights,” according to an official statement.
The agreement also blocks non-NATO members from establishing military bases and restricts American adversaries from making sensitive investments in Greenland.
NATO welcomed the announcement, with its spokesperson saying “the agreement will help advance security, stability and cooperation in this vital region.”
Background
US President Donald Trump announced a deal granting the US permanent control over Greenland's security.
The US and Denmark have reached a security agreement over Greenland, resolving a diplomatic dispute sparked by Trump's annexation threats.
Denmark is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It is the metropole and most populous constituent of the Kingdom of Denmark, also known as the Danish Realm, a constitutionally unitary state that includes the autonomous territories of the Faroe Islands and Greenland in the north Atlantic Ocean.
What's confirmed
- Reuters WORLD Published September 19,2026 12:29 AM Subscribe President Donald Trump said on Friday Washington has entered into an agreement with Denmark and Greenland that gives the US permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland.
- 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’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the agreement “recognises the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom and the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination”.
- Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the deal with the US “strengthens” the territory’s security.
- Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen confirmed that the agreement will be signed at the United Nations General Assembly next week.
- "The agreement recognises Greenland's interests and our place in international co-operation. It is for the benefit of us all," he said.
- "This deal permanently and completely addresses our national security concerns in Greenland," he said in a statement.
- “Greenland will forever be part of the strategic defence area of North America and exclude any adversary from it and the surrounding area,” Rubio wrote.
What's still developing
- Trump says US, Denmark, Greenland entered into agreement on US control over security - anews Contact Us WORLD Islamic World Africa Americas Asia Australia Europe Middle East Türkiye POLITICS Turkish Politics U.S.
- The deal comes after months of threats by Trump to "take" Greenland over national security concerns, citing its strategic location for defence purposes and its mineral wealth. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said the deal comes with "no cost to the United States" and will grant the US the ability to "to do what is necessary" to "secure and defend the security of Greenland".
- She said the agreement "strengthens our common security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic area" while also "at the same time recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom and the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination".
- The official added that under the current status quo, adversaries have been allowed to invest in Greenland's "sensitive sectors without investment screening".
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- She added that the deal still needs approval from legislators, and "will have to go through the necessary parliamentary procedures to enter into force".
- He even threatened military action in Greenland, prompting an outcry from Danes and other Nato countries.
- With his return to the White House last year, Trump called on Denmark to sell the island to the United States, while insisting that Greenland is crucial for U.S. security.
- Trump leaves NATO united on paper, uncertain in practice Denmark and Greenland repeatedly said the island is not for sale and condemned reports of the U.S. gathering intelligence there.
- "We look forward to working with the wonderful people of Denmark and Greenland toward a magnificent future with respect to this large, and highly strategic, parcel of land," Trump said in his post.
- He pointedly wouldn't rule out taking the island by military force, even though Denmark is a NATO ally of the U.S.
- But Trump in his social media post Friday suggested an understanding may have been reached that could bring an end to what was viewed as an existential crisis by Denmark.