US, Denmark, Greenland Sign Arctic Security Pact

President Donald Trump signed an agreement with Denmark and Greenland on Tuesday aimed at strengthening Arctic and North Atlantic security, a move that could lead to increased U.S. military bases on the vast island and ease long-standing tensions over Trump's repeated suggestions of acquiring Greenland.

The signing occurred on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, days after Trump announced a deal to enhance the U.S. military presence in Greenland while keeping the territory under Danish control. The agreement is designed to remain in effect even if Greenland eventually chooses independence.

"This is tremendous for Europe and for the United States and for everybody," Trump stated before the signing. "And for Greenland, it's going to be incredible."

Trump's interest in acquiring Greenland dates back to 2019, and at times he had threatened to seize the semiautonomous territory from Denmark, a NATO ally. While he did not directly answer questions on Tuesday about whether a U.S. acquisition of Greenland was off the table, officials from all three parties had been negotiating behind the scenes for months to address Trump's security concerns regarding the mineral-rich island.

Trump's previous overtures toward Greenland had strained relations within NATO. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had warned that a U.S. takeover would essentially signal the end of the Atlantic alliance. The situation unsettled Greenland's approximately 56,000 residents and created friction between the U.S. and Denmark, as well as with European Union partners who subsequently increased their security exercises and financial support for the island.

Concerns over Greenland's future have also been influenced by trade and potential resource exploitation. With about two-thirds of its territory within the Arctic Circle, melting sea ice has opened new shipping routes, increasing its strategic importance.

The U.S. military maintained a significant presence in Greenland for decades. However, since 1945, this presence has reduced from thousands of soldiers across 17 bases and installations to approximately 200 soldiers stationed at the remote Pituffik Space Base in the northwest. This base currently supports missile warning, missile defense, and space surveillance operations for both the U.S. and NATO.

In his address to the United Nations General Assembly prior to the signing, Trump indicated that the U.S. would "immediately begin the process of developing a large military presence in the appropriate locations," including plans for "building two very major military bases."

Last year, Denmark's parliament approved legislation permitting U.S. military bases on Danish soil, extending a 2023 agreement that granted U.S. troops broad access to air bases in Denmark.

Trump had previously asserted that the U.S. needed to "take Greenland" to prevent Russia or China from establishing a similar presence. Although he expressed a preference to "make a deal" for the territory, he was firm in stating, "one way or the other, we're going to have Greenland."

The newly released agreement allows Washington to "modernize and expand" its activities at Pituffik Space Base. It also permits the U.S. to establish "defense areas" at Narsarsuaq in the south and Mestersvig in the east, with the possibility of setting up additional defense areas and strengthening military operations or facilities within Greenland. The agreement stipulates that contracts for goods and services related to these bases should be awarded to Greenlandic sources to the maximum extent feasible.

The accord includes provisions for broad U.S. military mobility within Greenland's territory, including "undersea access." The signatories share an interest in facilitating U.S. military access to Greenland for the defense of the NATO area, Greenland itself, and the American continent. This access could potentially include "Golden Dome," Trump's proposed missile defense system, though Danish officials have stated no decision has been made regarding the specifics of that system.

The agreement explicitly prohibits any non-NATO country from establishing "its own manned or unmanned military installations in Greenland," or maintaining a "persistent" military presence, unless all signatories agree otherwise.

The accord has no specified end date. Should Greenland eventually choose independence, it has agreed to remain within NATO and assume Denmark's rights and obligations under the deal.

Frederiksen described the agreement as "a deal that can last forever," deeming it beneficial for the U.S., Greenland, Denmark, and the broader NATO alliance. She acknowledged Trump's focus on preventing adversaries from gaining proximity, stating, "Mr. President, you have been very clear: You don’t want adversaries to come too close. I fully agree."

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen called it a "win-win-win agreement," emphasizing shared security interests: "Your security is our security, and our security is your security."

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte welcomed the accord, writing on X that it "enhances our collective security and supports a safer and more stable future for us all."

Despite the positive outcome, the recent tensions have left a lasting impression. Naaja Nathanielsen, one of Greenland's representatives in the Danish parliament, noted that "a lot of trust has been tested." She added that the situation had been "really difficult in Greenland and people have been generally afraid and worried about everything, from losing our country to our livelihoods and so on."

Nathanielsen, however, characterized the accord as "a huge step in the right direction" and highlighted its significance as the first binding agreement Greenland has signed as a country, representing a major advancement in their pursuit of greater self-autonomy and influence.

Frederiksen expressed relief, stating that "the kingdom of Denmark is in a better place than we were yesterday." Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics also deemed the announcement "very positive and good," expressing hope that the issue is now resolved, as the prior discussions between allies had been "not entirely comfortable."