Trump claims deal with Denmark gives US ‘permanent control’ over Greenland
Denmark and Greenland plan to sign a defence agreement with the United States next week during the UN General Assembly, subject to approval by both the Danish and Greenlandic parliaments. US President Donald Trump said the pact guarantees long-term US control over security decisions in Greenland and would prevent other countries from establishing military forces there without US permission.
Why It Matters
Greenland's strategic location in the Arctic has drawn international attention, and a bilateral defence pact that limits other states' military presence would have implications for regional security balances; the deal also requires consent from Greenland's and Denmark's legislatures, highlighting domestic political checks.
Key Facts
- Planned signing: Agreement to be signed during next week's UN General Assembly session
- Approval required: Subject to parliamentary approval in Nuuk (Greenland) and Copenhagen (Denmark)
- US claim: President Trump said the pact gives the US permanent ability to act on security and other needs in Greenland
- Restrictions on others: Trump said adversaries would be barred from deploying bases or personnel in Greenland without written US authorisation
- Statements from leaders: Denmark's PM Mette Frederiksen said the deal recognizes the Kingdom's sovereignty and Greenlanders' right to self-determination; Greenland PM Jens-Frederik Nielsen said it strengthens the territory's security
Denmark and Greenland have agreed to sign a defence pact with the United States next week, with the formal signing slated to take place during the United Nations General Assembly session. The arrangement is not final: both the Greenlandic and Danish parliaments must still approve the agreement before it takes effect.
US President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that the United States has secured an agreement with Denmark and Greenland that, in his words, ensures Washington will retain long-term authority to address security and related matters in Greenland. He also said the pact would prevent adversarial states from placing military bases or personnel on the island unless the United States provides written permission.
Trump stated plans would begin promptly to establish a substantial US military presence at selected sites across Greenland, noting multiple potential locations for such deployments. The president framed the steps as measures to preserve US strategic options in the Arctic.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the agreement as one that affirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and respects Greenlanders' right to self-determination. Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the deal would bolster the territory's security. Both leaders emphasized that parliamentary ratification in Nuuk and Copenhagen remains a condition for the pact to proceed.
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