US President Donald Trump revealed that the United States and Denmark have reached a Greenland agreement that will allow the US permanent access to the territory, establish military bases, and fly over Greenland indefinitely, noting Denmark plans to sign next week.
US President Donald Trump posted on social media confirming that the US, Denmark, and Greenland have reached a significant security agreement, which will allow the US to increase its military presence on the island and block China and Russia from establishing bases or deploying troops in Greenland. However, full details have not been disclosed, and no official signing has occurred yet.
Trump disclosed this via a post on the Truth Social platform on 18 September, stating that under the agreement he claimed to have reached with representatives from Denmark and Greenland, the US will have full and permanent capability to take necessary actions to maintain security and protect Greenland as well as US security.
He further stated that from now on, US adversaries will not be able to establish bases, station troops, or invest in sensitive projects in Greenland without written US approval. He added the agreement is perpetual and that the US will soon increase its military forces on the island significantly.
Previously, Reuters reported that the US and Greenland were nearing an agreement to expand the US military role in Greenland, but the deal would not go as far as Trump's earlier push for the US to take ownership of Greenland.
Denmark's Prime Minister's Office issued a statement saying the agreement will enhance security in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Denmark, Greenland, and the US are likely to formally sign the agreement next week during the United Nations General Assembly.
A US State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the agreement will guarantee US rights to access Greenland, including rights to establish bases and permanent overflights. They added China and Russia will be prevented from setting up bases, deploying troops, or investing in Greenland's sensitive sectors.
However, key details remain unclear, including whether a new US military base will be built in Greenland. Currently, the US has a base in the island's northwest and broad overflight and base-use rights under a 1951 treaty with Denmark.
Greenland's stance on the agreement remains a key issue, as it is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with a portion of its population seeking independence. It has previously expressed dissatisfaction with US efforts to increase influence over the island.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a separate statement that the agreement will permanently address US national security concerns related to Greenland, affirming that Greenland will remain a strategic defense area for North America and will not open the door to rival countries gaining influence.
The agreement Trump announced does not imply US ownership of Greenland, which remains a self-governing territory under the Kingdom of Denmark. The change under the current details is that the US will have increased roles in security, territorial access, base establishment, and overflights in Greenland.
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