US President Donald Trump has signed a security agreement with Denmark and Greenland that expands the United States’ military presence on the strategically important Arctic island, bringing months of tension over Greenland to a new stage.
Trump signed the agreement on September 22 alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The deal stops short of Trump’s earlier push for the United States to acquire Greenland as its territory.
Under the agreement, Washington can expand operations at the existing Pituffik Space Base and establish new defence areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig. The arrangement also allows the United States to develop a “Golden Dome” missile-defence system on Greenland.
The agreement restricts non-NATO countries from establishing military facilities or a persistent military presence in Greenland without approval from Denmark, Greenland and the United States. It also places restrictions on sensitive investments by investors outside NATO and the European Union.
The deal follows months of diplomatic tensions after Trump repeatedly pressed for greater US control of Greenland, citing its strategic location and concerns about Russia and China.
Frederiksen said the agreement respects Greenland’s right to self-determination, while Nielsen stressed the importance of maintaining a strong NATO presence in the Arctic.
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