US, Denmark and Greenland sign security pact expanding American military presence

The United States, Denmark and Greenland signed a security agreement on September 22 that expands the American military presence on the Arctic island. US President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen signed the deal on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, according to CBS News and the Associated Press.

What the agreement covers

According to the Associated Press, the agreement allows the US to modernize and expand operations at Pituffik Space Base, which CBS News describes as the northernmost US military installation, and to establish new defense areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig. CBS News reported that the two new sites are about 950 miles apart.

The AP reported that the pact grants Washington broad military mobility across Greenland, including undersea access, and permits additional defense areas to be set up as needed. It prohibits non-NATO countries from deploying military installations without the consent of the signatories.

The deal has no expiration date. According to the AP, if Greenland becomes independent it must remain in NATO and take on Denmark's obligations under the pact. CBS News reported that the agreement also restricts investment from countries that are not members of NATO or the EU, a provision aimed at China and Russia, and reaffirms Greenland's status as part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

What the leaders said

Trump described the agreement in sweeping terms. "This agreement...gives the United States permanent control over security and all other needs on that territory," he said, according to CBS News. The AP quoted him as saying: "This is tremendous for Europe and for the United States and for everybody. And for Greenland, it's going to be incredible."

Frederiksen said the deal respects "the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, as well as Greenland's right to self-determination," CBS News reported. The AP reported that she called it "a deal that can last forever."

Nielsen called it "a win-win-win agreement," according to the AP. "This agreement should put to rest any doubt today and in the future about where Greenland's loyalty lies," he said, according to CBS News.

Why it matters

The new pact gives the US a larger and permanent military role in Greenland while Denmark and Greenland say their sovereignty and self-determination are respected. Its limits on non-NATO bases and investment are aimed at keeping China and Russia out of the Arctic territory.

Sources

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.