The United States, Denmark, and Greenland have concluded a defence arrangement that permits the US to establish two additional military installations in the Arctic territory. The agreement was formalized at a signing ceremony during the UN General Assembly, with US President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen all present. Trump stated that the US would “immediately begin the process of developing a large military presence in the appropriate locations.” Each leader characterized the agreement as mutually beneficial, with Frederiksen describing it as a “milestone” and Nielsen calling it a “win-win-win” arrangement.
The new accord updates and expands upon a 1951 defence agreement between Denmark and the United States. Under the terms, the US is authorized to establish defence areas at Narsarsuaq in Greenland’s south and Mestersvig in the east. Narsarsuaq features deep-water access and a substantial runway, while Mestersvig is a remote, underdeveloped location currently utilized by a Danish naval unit. The agreement also permits the US to modernize and expand activities at its existing Pituffik Space Base in Greenland’s north-west. Technical details and implementation specifics require mutual agreement among all three parties.
The accord explicitly reaffirms Danish sovereignty and Greenland’s right to self-determination. It also stipulates that non-Nato member states cannot establish military installations or maintain a persistent military presence in Greenland. The agreement confirms Greenland would remain within Nato if it were to achieve independence from Denmark. Nato’s leadership welcomed the arrangement, noting it would advance security and stability in the region.
The deal concludes over a year of heightened tensions regarding the territory. Trump had previously expressed interest in acquiring or annexing Greenland, citing national security concerns, strategic location advantages, and Greenland’s substantial reserves of rare earth minerals. These statements drew criticism from Greenlandic and Danish officials as well as European leaders. The finalized agreement addresses these security considerations while maintaining established governance structures. Trump indicated the arrangement involved “no cost to the United States.”
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