UNITED NATIONS: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a security agreement with Denmark and Greenland aimed at strengthening Arctic and North Atlantic security.
The agreement, signed on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, allows Washington to expand its military presence in Greenland while leaving the territory under Danish control. It also strengthens NATO’s role in Arctic security.
President Donald J. Trump, together with the Prime Ministers of Denmark & Greenland, sign the landmark security agreement granting the U.S. permanent control over Greenland’s security. pic.twitter.com/7YWg3Quqn9
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 22, 2026
“It’s going to be a long-term, fantastic relationship,” Trump said at the signing ceremony.
Trump has repeatedly said the United States needs control of Greenland for strategic reasons and has previously spoken of acquiring the territory. On Tuesday, he did not respond to questions about whether US acquisition was now off the table.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the agreement would prevent adversaries from gaining control or significant influence in Greenland.
“Mr President, you have been very clear. You don’t want adversaries to come too close,” Frederiksen said before the signing. “I fully agree, and with this deal, they are not.”
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the territory was important for both North American and transatlantic security.
“This agreement reflects that we understand our responsibility and act accordingly,” he said.
Expanded US military presence
The agreement allows the United States to modernise and expand its activities at Pituffik Space Base in north-western Greenland, the only current US military installation on the island.
It also allows Washington to establish defence areas at Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland and Mestersvig in the east. The United States may establish additional defence areas and strengthen its military operations or facilities under the accord.
The agreement provides broad US military mobility across Greenland, including undersea access.
It also prevents non-NATO countries from establishing manned or unmanned military installations in Greenland or maintaining a persistent military presence there unless the signatories agree otherwise.
The accord has no end date. It will also remain in force if Greenland becomes independent, provided the territory remains in NATO and assumes Denmark’s rights and obligations under the agreement.
Greenland’s strategic importance
Greenland lies between North America and Europe and has major strategic importance in the Arctic.
Its location has become increasingly important as melting sea ice opens new shipping routes and as competition over Arctic resources and security grows.
The United States has maintained a military presence on the island for decades. Its footprint has declined since 1945, when thousands of US troops were stationed across 17 bases and installations.
The US now has about 200 personnel at Pituffik Space Base, which supports missile-warning, missile-defence and space-surveillance operations for the United States and NATO.
Trump told the General Assembly before the signing that the United States would immediately begin developing a larger military presence in “appropriate locations”, including two major military bases.
Tensions within NATO
Trump’s push to acquire Greenland has strained relations with Denmark and other European NATO members.
He first expressed interest in buying Greenland in 2019. After returning to office in January 2025, he repeatedly said the United States needed to control the territory, citing national security and the possibility of Russian or Chinese influence.
Greenland’s population is about 56,000. The issue has generated concern on the island and contributed to tensions between Washington, Copenhagen and other European allies.
Officials from the United States, Denmark and Greenland negotiated the new agreement for months in an effort to address Washington’s security concerns while maintaining Danish control of the territory.
The agreement follows a period in which Denmark and European partners increased security exercises and support for Greenland amid concerns over the island’s strategic position and natural resources.
Leaders hail agreement
Frederiksen described the agreement as one that could last indefinitely and said it was positive for the United States, Greenland, Denmark and NATO.
Nielsen called it a “win-win-win agreement”. “Your security is our security,” he said. “And our security is your security.”
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also welcomed the agreement. He said on X that the deal, together with NATO’s growing role in securing the Arctic region, would strengthen collective security and contribute to a safer and more stable future.
