Donald Trump, along with the leaders of Denmark and Greenland, signed a regional Arctic security agreement granting the U.S. expanded rights to conduct military activities while maintaining Greenland's sovereignty.
On Tuesday, 22 Sep 2026 GMT+7, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an agreement with the Prime Ministers of Denmark and Greenland on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York to enhance security in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions.
The agreement, called the “Trilateral North Atlantic and Arctic Security Agreement,” allows the U.S. to expand its military bases in Greenland and helps ease tensions following Trump's previous threat to purchase the territory for the U.S.
Under the agreement, the U.S. is authorized to expand and develop military activities at the Pituffik Space Base in northwest Greenland, and to establish additional “defense zones” in the southern city of Narsarsuaq and the eastern city of Mestersvig.
The U.S. plans to build two large military bases and gain broad access for troop rotations and operations by land, air, and underwater to protect the Americas, Greenland, and NATO allies under the missile defense system “Golden Dome,” a concept proposed by Trump.
The agreement prohibits non-NATO countries from establishing any military bases in Greenland—whether manned or unmanned—or maintaining military forces there without the consent of all three parties.
It also emphasizes that Greenland will remain under Danish sovereignty, that the agreement has no expiration date, and if Greenland later seeks independence from Denmark, it must retain NATO membership and continue to uphold this agreement.
Additionally, the agreement specifies that the U.S. must prioritize local Greenlandic businesses in the procurement of goods and services for constructing and maintaining the bases.
Regarding reactions, Trump described the agreement as “very significant for Europe, the U.S., and Greenland” but declined to answer media questions on whether the U.S. has abandoned plans to purchase Greenland.
Meanwhile, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed agreement with Trump’s defense strategy and called the agreement a “sustainable agreement for all time,” benefiting the U.S., Greenland, Denmark, and NATO allies.
After the press conference, Frederiksen expressed relief, saying, “The Kingdom of Denmark is in a better position than yesterday,” and ended the event on a friendly note, saying, “I think we should go get some cold beers soon.”
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen described the agreement as a “win-win-win” for all three parties and emphasized, “Your security is our security… and our security is your security.”
Although Greenlanders feel relieved that Denmark and their territory successfully reached an agreement with the U.S. and see this as an important step for Greenland’s global role, international trust will take time to rebuild after months of tension.
Nadja Nathanielsen, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament and former Greenland minister, said, “Trust has been severely tested. It has been a very difficult time in Greenland. People were fearful and worried about everything—from losing their country to their way of life and livelihoods.”
However, she praised the agreement as a “major positive step in the right direction” and the first binding agreement Greenland has signed as a country, marking “an important milestone toward greater self-governance and a more prominent role on the world stage.”
. International news coverage:https://www.thairath.co.th/news/foreign
Source:apnews