Denmark on Saturday hailed a “binding” deal announced by U.S. President Donald Trump to give Washington “permanent control” over Greenland’s security and bar Russian and Chinese bases from the Arctic territory.
Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly insisted that the United States needed to control Greenland for strategic reasons, alarming NATO ally Denmark and sparking fierce pushback from the alliance.
Denmark and Greenland — an autonomous Danish territory — both hailed the agreement and said they would sign it on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York next week.
“A long period of uncertainty will hopefully be replaced by a binding agreement that strengthens security in the Arctic and North Atlantic,” Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on social media. The deal respected Denmark’s “red lines” and was “important” in light of a changed security situation, he said.
While the terms are still unclear, Denmark maintains that its sovereignty remains intact.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the agreement with Washington “recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom and the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination”. It was “good for NATO and Europe”, she said.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the deal “recognizes Greenland’s interests” and “strengthens” its security.
And French President Emmanuel Macron weighed in Saturday as well, saying the deal helps “to reaffirm Danish sovereignty” over the Arctic territory.
Trump hailed the deal as an “‘Infinite Life’ Agreement, there is no end!” Washington would immediately start building up a large military presence in the territory, he added.
“From now on, no US adversary can EVER have a base in Greenland, have a military presence in Greenland, or make sensitive investments in Greenland, without our express written approval.”
Trump has repeatedly warned of Russia and China trying to establish a foothold in Greenland as a strategic battle unfolds for supremacy in a warming Arctic. The US State Department left no doubt that they would not be allowed to do so.
“This agreement guarantees that China and Russia cannot have a base in Greenland, they cannot send troops to Greenland, and the necessary mechanisms are in place to prevent investment in sensitive sectors,” a State Department official said.
Several media outlets have reported that Washington wants to open three new military bases in southern Greenland, in addition to the Pituffik base it already has in the territory’s north.
At the height of the Greenland dispute, Trump would not rule out using force to seize the territory of 57,000 inhabitants, sowing anxiety within the EU and NATO.
Tensions have since eased. In an apparent move to assuage Trump, NATO launched a mission to bolster security in the Arctic. (AFP)
