Donald Trump has claimed that the United States has secured permanent control of Greenland’s security under an agreement with Denmark, although the deal would not transfer sovereignty over the Arctic territory to Washington.
The US president said the arrangement would give America “permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland”, addressing what he described as the country’s concerns.
In a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump said the agreement would give the US “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 described it as an “infinite life” agreement.
It was not immediately clear what he meant by “all other needs”. Mr Trump also claimed that no US adversary would be able to establish a base, maintain a military presence or make sensitive investments in Greenland without Washington’s written approval.
He said the US would “immediately begin the process of developing a large Military presence” in suitable parts of the territory, working with Greenland’s population on its construction and development.
A senior official said the arrangement would remain in force even if Greenland became independent, while Mr Trump insisted it would not cost the United States anything.
Greenland security agreement still requires approval
The agreement is expected to be signed at next week’s high-level summit during the United Nations General Assembly. However, it will also require approval from the parliaments of Denmark and Greenland, their governments said in a joint statement.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the proposed deal would strengthen the security of Greenland, Denmark, the United States and the wider Western alliance.
“The agreement recognises Greenland’s interests and our place in international cooperation. It is to the benefit of us all,” he said.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the agreement recognised “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom and the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination”.
Under the proposed arrangement, Denmark and Greenland would no longer need to approve new US military installations on the territory. Sensitive investments by the US and its allies, including telecommunications infrastructure, undersea capabilities, ports and critical minerals, would also be permitted.
The agreement falls short of handing control of Greenland itself to the United States.
Mr Trump has presented his campaign to bring Greenland into the US sphere of influence as a national security priority, pointing to the territory’s strategic Arctic location and the ambitions of China and Russia in the region.
General Gregory M Guillot, head of Northern Command, has said Greenland could host radar stations forming part of an Arctic network that would include facilities in Alaska and Canada. He has also identified the possibility of a deepwater port and a base for US special forces.
Mr Trump first suggested bringing Greenland into the US sphere of influence during his first term in 2019 and has repeatedly renewed the push since returning to office.
Initial opposition from officials in Denmark and Greenland centred on his insistence that the US should own the territory, alongside threats that American forces could be used to take control of it.
Representatives from Denmark and Greenland later held closed-door negotiations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House adviser Stephen Miller and officials from the State Department and National Security Council.
The talks covered the indefinite presence of American troops, co-operation on Greenland’s rare earths and oil resources, and the possible reopening of a US military base dating from the Second World War.
Mr Rubio said Denmark and Greenland recognised that they did not have the financial means to defend the territory if it came under attack or was threatened, while the United States had the capability to do so.
“This historic deal is a huge win for the United States and the American people,” Mr Rubio said, adding that it would guarantee US security interests in the Arctic “at zero cost to the US taxpayer”.
