US and Denmark reach Greenland security deal as Trump claims 'permanent control'
The United States, Denmark and Greenland have reached an agreement on the security of Greenland, with U.S. President Donald Trump saying the deal gives Washington “permanent control” over the island's security.
“I am pleased to announce that the United States of America has entered into an Agreement with The Kingdom of Denmark, and Greenland, that gives the United States permanent control over security,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sept. 18.
Trump said no U.S. adversary would be allowed to establish a military base or presence in Greenland or make sensitive investments there without Washington's written approval.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen welcomed what she called a “great agreement for Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark, and the United States.”
She said the agreement would recognize the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark as well as the Greenlandic people's right to self-determination.
Frederiksen said the deal would strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic and benefit NATO and Europe.
Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also welcomed the agreement, saying it would strengthen the island's security.
The agreement is expected to be signed on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York next week.
Months of tensions over Greenland
Trump had repeatedly argued that the United States needed control of Greenland for national security reasons and said Washington had to prevent Russia or China from expanding their presence on the strategically important Arctic island.
His statements prompted strong opposition from Denmark, Greenland and other European countries. Frederiksen had urged Trump to stop threatening to take over the island, while European leaders stressed that Greenland's future could only be decided by its people and Denmark.
Earlier this year, Trump threatened tariffs on eight European countries amid the dispute but later withdrew the threat after talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte produced a framework for a future agreement.
The United States currently operates the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, its northernmost military installation. The base is used for missile warning, missile defense and space surveillance.
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