Denmark’s government expressed cautious optimism on Saturday after US President Donald Trump announced a deal on Greenland that aims to strengthen US military presence there while keeping the island under Danish control. This deal comes after months of threats from the US president to take over the semi-autonomous territory of a NATO ally.
Leaders from Greenland stated that the agreement, which has not yet been publicly detailed, has been a long time coming. US, Greenlandic, and Danish officials had been quietly negotiating for months, seeking solutions to address some of Trump’s security concerns regarding the territory, which has a population of roughly 56,000 residents.
With the announcement of this agreement, Trump can claim a foreign policy achievement ahead of the upcoming midterm elections in the United States. On Friday, Trump stated that the deal would grant the US “permanent control over security and all other needs in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many U.S. concerns.”
Currently, Denmark and the US already have a long-standing security agreement that allows the US to deploy forces in Greenland, and it remains unclear how this new deal will differ from the existing arrangement.
Marc Jacobsen, an associate professor at the Royal Danish Defence College and head of research at the Centre for Arctic Security Studies, noted, “I think it’s obvious that we can expect more US bases in Greenland. However, it’s important to mention that historically, particularly during the Cold War, the US maintained an immense military presence in Greenland.” He emphasised that this development is a win for Trump, as “it’s important for him to show that he’s a good businessman, having effectively pressured Denmark and Greenland into a new agreement.”
The deal would be signed at the UNGA
After Trump’s announcement, Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, revealed that a deal would be signed next week at the United Nations General Assembly, pending parliamentary approval from both Denmark and Greenland. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen expressed optimism, saying the agreement could enhance security in the Arctic and within NATO.
Greenland’s government leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, emphasised that the deal would support both collective security and development in Greenland. Foreign Minister Múte B. Egede also welcomed the impending agreement, noting, “It’s about time.”
Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chair of the NATO Military Committee, welcomed the agreement but offered no further comments. Trump said the US would “immediately” begin increasing its military presence on Greenland, where it maintains the Pituffik Space Base, essential for missile warning and space surveillance, established under the Defence of Greenland Treaty in 1951.
Few details about the deal are known so far
A US State Department official said the agreement prohibits any non-NATO military bases in Greenland, limits adversaries from investing in the territory, and ensures neither China nor Russia can establish a base there. This official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, was not authorised to comment publicly.
Denmark and Greenland did not confirm the specifics of Trump’s statements. After returning to the White House, Trump urged Denmark to sell Greenland to the US, citing its importance for security, and did not rule out military action, despite Denmark being a NATO ally.
Both Denmark and Greenland have consistently said the island is not for sale and have condemned US intelligence operations there. Greenlandic activist Orla Joelsen declared that “our fight against Trump’s ambition to take over Greenland has been won,” emphasising that the agreement recognises Denmark’s sovereignty and Greenland’s right to self-determination.
Ulrik Pram Gad, an Arctic security expert at the Danish Institute for International Studies, noted that Trump is trying to spin this as a victory, even though he did not achieve his goal of gaining sovereign control over Greenland.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
