Trump's Greenland Security Pact Hailed as 'Big Deal' on Par with Alaska Purchase

President Donald Trump has secured a new security agreement with Denmark and Greenland that aims to prevent U.S. adversaries from establishing military bases on the island and to curb their investments there. A security expert has lauded the deal, drawing a comparison to the U.S. acquisition of Alaska in 1867, arguing that it solidifies crucial North American defense territory and restricts the expansionist aims of Russia and China.

Retired U.S. Marine Col. Grant Newsham, a senior fellow at the Center for Security Policy, stated on "Fox & Friends Weekend" that the agreement is "a big deal. This is right up there with Secretary of State Seward getting Alaska." Newsham explained that the pact "locks up or brings into the fold, really, key terrain, key geography, up on our northeast." He asserted that the agreement would prevent both Russia and China from gaining military or economic footholds in Greenland.

President Trump announced the deal via a post on Truth Social, declaring it grants the United States permanent control over security and other necessary functions in Greenland. He stated that the agreement, negotiated with representatives from Denmark and Greenland, ensures the U.S. will "FOREVER have 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." Trump also emphasized that there would be no cost to the United States.

Both Denmark and Greenland have stressed that the agreement, which requires formal signatures and parliamentary approval, will uphold their "sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Newsham suggested this move aligns with Trump's broader foreign policy strategy of defending U.S. interests. He referenced previous actions, such as deterring Chinese influence in Panama and actions concerning Venezuela, to illustrate a perceived plan for homeland defense. "You can see that there's a plan here for defending our homeland. And this really is a big deal, to put it in simple terms," Newsham said.

While acknowledging that China and Russia are likely to oppose the agreement, Newsham expressed confidence in its effectiveness. "They'll complain. They won't like it, but there's not much they can do about it," he stated. "They'll probably step up their activities in the territories they have up there. But nonetheless, this is a huge advance for the United States and our position."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio also praised the agreement on X, calling it a "huge win for the United States and the American people." He credited President Trump's "vision and leadership" for permanently securing U.S. security interests in the Arctic at no cost to taxpayers. Rubio added that Greenland "will forever be part of the strategic defense area of North America and exclude any adversary from it and the surrounding area. This deal permanently and completely addresses our national security concerns in Greenland."