US President Donald Trump has announced a new security agreement with Denmark and Greenland that he says will give Washington permanent control over security and other strategic needs in Greenland.
Trump announced the agreement on Friday, describing it as a long-term arrangement designed to prevent US adversaries from establishing military bases, deploying troops or making sensitive investments in the strategically important Arctic territory. He also said the United States would begin preparations for a larger military presence in Greenland.
However, Denmark and Greenland have presented the agreement differently. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the arrangement recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, along with the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination. Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also said the agreement strengthens Greenland’s security.
The terms of the agreement have not been fully made public. Denmark and Greenland said the pact is expected to be formally signed on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week. It will then have to go through the necessary parliamentary procedures before taking effect.
Trump has repeatedly pushed for greater US control over Greenland since returning to the White House in January 2025. His earlier statements about potentially acquiring the territory created tensions with Denmark and other NATO members. The latest agreement appears to focus on security and military cooperation rather than transferring ownership of Greenland to the United States.
A key part of the arrangement is preventing countries outside the NATO alliance from establishing military bases or other strategic footholds in Greenland. US officials have also said the agreement will restrict sensitive investments by American adversaries, including China and Russia. The measures reflect growing competition among major powers for influence in the Arctic.
The United States already maintains a military presence in Greenland through its Pituffik Space Base in the northern part of the territory. The new agreement could allow Washington to expand its military infrastructure and access on the island.
Trump said the agreement would have no end and described it as an “Infinite Life” agreement. He also said the United States would work with Greenland’s people while developing a larger military presence.
The announcement comes after months of diplomatic tension between Washington, Copenhagen and Nuuk. NATO allies had been concerned about Trump’s earlier statements regarding US control of Greenland. Relations have since moved toward negotiations focused on Arctic security.
For Denmark and Greenland, the continued recognition of sovereignty remains a central part of the agreement. For Washington, the arrangement is focused on maintaining long-term strategic access and preventing rival powers from gaining a foothold in Greenland.
The final scope of the agreement will become clearer once its full text is released and the parliamentary approval process begins.
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