The United States, Denmark and Greenland have reached an agreement aimed at strengthening US military capabilities on Greenland, while preventing American adversaries from establishing military bases or a significant presence on the strategically important Arctic island.
US President Donald Trump announced the agreement on Friday, saying the deal would give Washington lasting authority to take measures it considers necessary to protect Greenland and US security interests.
Trump said sensitive investments by countries considered adversaries of the United States would require Washington’s approval and described the agreement as having no expiry date.
Deal falls short of US ownership push
The agreement comes after Reuters reported that Washington and Copenhagen were nearing a deal to expand the US military presence in Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.
The arrangement does not include Trump’s previous push for the United States to acquire Greenland.
The US already enjoys extensive overflight and basing rights on the island under a 1951 defence agreement. Greenland also hosts a US Space Force installation in its remote northwest.
Trump said the United States would soon establish a larger military presence on the island, describing the agreement as a major achievement for Washington.
Details of agreement remain unclear
Denmark’s prime minister’s office said the agreement would strengthen security in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the arrangement recognised Greenland’s interests and its role in international cooperation.
However, several details remained unclear, including whether the agreement would lead to construction of additional US military bases.
Denmark deploys troops to Greenland amid Trump pressure
Imran Bayoumi, a former Pentagon official now with the Atlantic Council, said it would represent a significant development if Washington gained the ability to build bases without approval from Greenland or Denmark. He also said many of the objectives could potentially have been achieved through diplomacy without placing additional strain on the broader US-NATO relationship.
The agreement is expected to be formally signed next week, according to the Danish prime minister’s office.
US says adversaries will be excluded
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the agreement permanently addressed Washington’s national security concerns regarding Greenland.
A US State Department official, speaking anonymously about the specific terms, said the agreement would prevent non-NATO countries from establishing military bases in Greenland.
The official said only the United States and its allies would be allowed to make certain unspecified “sensitive investments” on the island.
The agreement also provides the United States with permanent access, basing and overflight rights, according to the official. Those provisions would remain in effect even if Greenland eventually becomes independent from Denmark.
Greenland’s political future remains a sensitive issue, as many residents support independence from Denmark. The territory has also faced tensions over previous US efforts to increase its influence over the island.
The agreement therefore marks a significant development in Arctic security cooperation while leaving questions about its practical implementation and the future scope of the US military presence in Greenland.
