U.S. President Donald Trump announced a security agreement with Denmark and Greenland that grants the U.S. permanent control over military and security matters in the Arctic territory. The pact aims to bolster U.S. influence in the region amid growing competition with Russia and China.
The deal, signed during the UN General Assembly, allows the U.S. to expand its military presence in Greenland while restricting non-NATO adversaries from establishing bases or making sensitive investments there. Trump emphasized the agreement's permanence, stating it fully addresses U.S. security concerns in the Arctic.
Denmark and Greenland have welcomed the agreement, which recognizes their sovereignty and supports their right to self-determination. The pact also ensures Greenland's strategic role in North American defense, excluding adversaries from the area. The U.S. already has overflight and basing rights in Greenland under a 1951 treaty.
The agreement comes after months of Trump's threats to take control of Greenland by force. While the deal does not grant U.S. ownership, it allows for increased military presence. The pact is expected to strengthen security in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions, though parliamentary approval from Denmark and Greenland is still needed before enforcement.