Trump announces US-Denmark-Greenland agreement on expanded military presence

Washington, United States. US President Donald Trump said the United States, Denmark and Greenland had reached an agreement allowing an expanded US military presence in Greenland and preventing US adversaries from establishing bases there.

Agreement details

In a Truth Social post on Friday, Trump said US adversaries would not be able to make sensitive investments in Greenland without US approval. He said the agreement had no expiry date.

“At my direction, we worked with representatives of Denmark and Greenland to guarantee that the United States will FOREVER have the complete ability to do what is necessary in Greenland in order to secure and defend the security of Greenland, and the United States of America,” Trump wrote.

Trump said the United States would soon introduce a large military presence on the island, without providing further details.

Existing military arrangements

Reuters reported earlier on Friday that the United States and Denmark were close to an agreement to increase the US military presence in Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. The report said the arrangement would not involve the United States acquiring the island.

The United States already has nearly complete overflight and basing rights in Greenland under a 1951 treaty. Greenland hosts one US Space Force base in its remote northwest.

Responses from Denmark and Greenland

The office of Denmark’s prime minister said the agreement would strengthen security in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions.

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the agreement recognised Greenland’s interests and its place in international cooperation.

“This benefits us all,” Nielsen said.

It remained unclear on Friday night whether the agreement would result in the construction of new US bases in Greenland.