President Donald Trump announced a permanent agreement with Denmark and Greenland that grants the United States comprehensive control over the Arctic island's security architecture. The deal, slated for signing Tuesday at the UN General Assembly in New York, stipulates that no U.S. adversary may establish a military base, maintain a presence, or invest in Greenland without Washington's explicit written consent. Trump stated the agreement comes at no financial cost to the U.S. and resolves a century-old strategic vulnerability.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen emphasized that the pact brings Arctic security under the broader watch of NATO, ensuring the responsibility extends beyond Copenhagen and Washington. The accord follows months of intense diplomatic friction, which peaked in January when Trump's threats to acquire the semi-autonomous territory by force triggered a severe crisis within NATO. Washington’s strategic interest in the territory traces back to World War II.
In 1946, President Harry Truman famously offered to buy the island for $100 million in gold—an offer Copenhagen promptly rejected. During the Cold War, the U.S. operated 17 military installations with 10,000 troops in Greenland, though today its presence is limited to the Pituffik Space Base and approximately 150 military personnel. A NATO spokesperson formally welcomed the agreement, noting it will advance cooperation and stability in the vital Arctic region. Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers in Greenland who reviewed the draft agreement expressed reassurance, confirming that the island's sovereignty remains thoroughly respected.
