U.S., Denmark, and Greenland reach security deal expanding American military presence on Arctic island
President Trump announced Friday that the United States, Denmark, and Greenland have reached a security agreement that expands U.S. military presence on Greenland without transferring sovereignty over the island. The deal, which has no expiration date, grants the U.S. permanent access, basing, and overflight rights, and bars China, Russia, and other non-NATO countries from establishing military bases or stationing troops on the island. All three governments are expected to sign the agreement during the United Nations General Assembly next week, though Danish and Greenlandic parliamentary approval is still required before it can take effect.
The agreement, announced via Trump's Truth Social account on Friday, emerged from months of quiet negotiations among U.S., Danish, and Greenlandic officials that began in February. According to a senior U.S. official who spoke to Fox News Digital, representatives from all three countries conducted "various rounds of quiet negotiations that never leaked," with Denmark and Greenland coming to view the deal as serving their own security interests. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described it as a "historic deal" and a "huge win" for the United States.
Under the terms described by officials, the U.S. will have the right to build new military installations without requiring advance approval from Denmark or Greenland — though consultations are required. The deal also restricts adversaries from investing in sensitive sectors, including telecommunications infrastructure, undersea cables, ports, and critical minerals. The agreement is designed to remain in effect even if Greenland eventually achieves independence. Administration officials connected the expanded footprint to Trump's planned Golden Dome missile defense system, according to Fox News Digital.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the agreement "recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Greenland and Denmark and upholds both peoples' right "to self-determination." Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the deal "recognizes Greenland's interests." Denmark's foreign minister expressed cautious optimism following Trump's announcement, according to the Associated Press.