Washington (Rajeev Sharma): US president says Washington will gain sweeping security rights and expand its military presence, while Denmark and Greenland retain sovereignty
Washington, September 19, 2026: US President Donald Trump has announced an agreement with Denmark and Greenland that he says will give Washington a permanent role in securing the strategically important Arctic territory and prevent rival powers from establishing military or sensitive commercial footholds there.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the arrangement would give the United States “permanent control” over Greenland’s security and other security-related needs. He also said Washington would begin planning a larger military presence on the island.
Trump said the agreement would prevent US adversaries from establishing bases, deploying military forces or making sensitive investments in Greenland without American approval. He described the pact as an agreement with no end date.
Greenland Remains Under Danish Sovereignty
Despite Trump’s description of the agreement, the reported deal does not amount to a US takeover of Greenland.
Denmark and Greenland said they expect to sign the pact during next week’s United Nations General Assembly meetings, subject to approval by their respective parliaments. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the proposed agreement recognises the Kingdom of Denmark’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as Greenlanders’ right to self-determination.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the agreement would strengthen the territory’s security.
US Military Presence Set to Expand
The agreement is expected to provide Washington with greater scope to expand its military footprint in Greenland. The United States already operates Pituffik Space Base in northern Greenland under existing defence arrangements.
Trump said construction and development of additional military facilities would begin, with the United States working with Greenland’s population on their development. Reports indicate that discussions have included possible new US bases, although the precise locations and scope of the proposed expansion have not been fully disclosed.
The State Department has said the arrangement is intended to prevent countries such as China and Russia from establishing military bases or deploying forces in Greenland, while also restricting sensitive investments that could create security concerns.
A New Chapter in Arctic Security
The announcement follows months of tension over Trump’s repeated calls for greater US control of Greenland, including earlier statements that raised concerns among Denmark and other NATO members.
The latest arrangement instead keeps Greenland within the Danish realm while expanding the US security role. Danish officials have described the prospective agreement as beneficial for NATO and European security, while Greenlandic authorities have stressed the territory’s security interests and continued right to self-determination.
The precise terms of the agreement have not yet been publicly released in full, leaving questions over the extent of Washington’s proposed authority and how the new arrangements will operate alongside existing US-Danish defence agreements. Formal approval is also still required in Denmark and Greenland.
