The agreement will give Washington permanent control over the self-governing Arctic territory’s security matters, the president said
Published 18 Sep, 2026 21:58
| Updated 18 Sep, 2026 22:51
The Danish Armed Forces’ Joint Arctic Command headquarters in Nuuk, Greenland, January 21, 2026. © Victor Lochon / Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
The US will effectively control Greenland’s security under an agreement reached with Denmark and the self-governing Arctic territory, President Donald Trump has announced.
Trump has long argued that the US should acquire Greenland from Denmark because of the island’s strategic position and the need to counter Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic. His demands sparked outrage in Copenhagen and further strained relations with America’s NATO allies in Europe.
In a Truth Social post on Friday, Trump said the agreement “gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many US concerns.”
“At my direction, we worked with representatives of Denmark and Greenland to guarantee that the United States will FOREVER have the complete ability to do what is necessary in Greenland in order to secure and defend the security of Greenland, and the United States of America,” he added.
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“Additionally, from now on, no US adversary can EVER have a base in Greenland, have a military presence in Greenland, or make sensitive investments in Greenland, without our express written approval.”
Trump promised that the US would be “very protective” of Greenland, describing the deal as “a dream come true for the United States of America.”
The 1951 US-Danish defense agreement already allows Washington to request an increased military presence in Greenland. Although Copenhagen rejected transferring sovereignty over the territory to the US, Danish officials said they were willing to modify existing agreements to address Trump’s security concerns.
Denmark confirmed that a deal had been reached shortly after Trump’s statement.
“An agreement that strengthens our common security in the Arctic and North Atlantic region and is therefore also good for NATO and Europe. At the same time, it recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom and the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said.
“The agreement recognizes Greenland’s interests and our place in international cooperation. It benefits us all,” Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said.
Danish broadcaster DR, citing the Prime Minister’s Office, said the sides plan to sign the agreement next week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
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