Washington — The United States, Denmark and Greenland signed a landmark security accord Tuesday that expands the American military and security footprint on the North Atlantic island, bringing years of disagreement over the Danish territory’s future to a new stage.
President Trump, Greenland Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen finalized the agreement on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The White House published the full text of the deal soon after the ceremony.
The pact confirms that Greenland remains under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark while granting Washington extensive access to Greenlandic airspace and territory for security purposes.
Under the agreement, the United States may enlarge Pituffik Space Base, the country’s northernmost military facility and a key station for detecting potential incoming missiles. American forces could also establish installations at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, locations separated by approximately 950 miles. The three governments may propose additional “defense areas,” provided all parties approve them.
The open-ended agreement also prevents countries outside NATO from building bases in Greenland unless the United States, Denmark and Greenland give their consent. Its terms would remain in force even if Greenland later achieves independence from Denmark. In addition, the pact calls for closer scrutiny of investments from nations outside NATO and the European Union, reflecting concerns about possible Chinese and Russian influence.
Danish and Greenlandic officials presented the agreement as a response to growing strategic competition and shifting security conditions in the Arctic. Trump’s repeated suggestions that the United States could acquire Greenland—even by force—have drawn sharp criticism from NATO allies.
Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP
“We’re going to have a tremendous relationship, a secure relationship, and we look forward to it,” Trump said. “We’ll be working very hard and very much in conjunction with each other, and it’s just a real honor to be here.”
Nielsen pointed to the dramatic changes since 1951, when the earlier security agreement being updated was signed. Greenland’s people, he said, “recognize the long-term security threats that you, Mr. President, have rightly spoken about.”
“This agreement should put to rest any doubt today and in the future about where Greenland’s loyalty lies,” Nielsen said.
Frederiksen said the accord safeguards the “territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, as well as Greenland’s right to self-determination.”
Speaking to the U.N. General Assembly shortly before the signing, Trump said the arrangement would permit the United States to construct two additional bases in Greenland. The U.S. currently operates one military facility on the island.
“This agreement, made with the Kingdom of Denmark, an incredible, beautiful country, and the Greenland people itself, gives the United States permanent control over security and all other needs on that territory,” Trump said. “We will have the complete ability to do what is necessary to defend the American continent and also Europe and other places. No U.S. adversary will ever be permitted to establish a military presence in Greenland anymore, or make sensitive investments there without our express written approval.”
