The American president Trump, Danish prime minister Frederiksen and Greenland premier Nielsen signed an agreement in New York about the expansion of the American military presence in Greenland. This averted a crisis that shook NATO to its core. The three heads of government did not respond to questions from the press.
The agreement can be interpreted as a victory for Denmark and Greenland. They have consistently opposed Trump's threat to take Greenland by force if necessary. The agreement regulates the expansion of the US military presence in Greenland. Denmark and Greenland have never been against this.
The existence of the agreement became known on Saturday. Trump then said that the US thereby gains "permanent control over the security and all other needs" of Greenland. Prime Minister Frederiksen did not respond to this at the time.
The US will get two additional military bases: the former base Narsarsuaq from the Cold War era and the one in Mestersvig, where a Danish elite unit is currently stationed.
The US already has a base in Greenland: the Pituffik Space Base. It is allowed to further expand that base.
Other points from the agreement:
- The US is allowed to build installations for its Golden Dome missile shield in Greenland
- American aircraft may fly over any area and all Greenlandic waters
- The US commits to respecting the rights of the population of Greenland
- Only NATO member states may have military installations in Greenland
- Only investors from EU and NATO member states are welcome in Greenland
Greenland premier Nielsen said prior to the ceremony that the agreement builds upon the defense agreement that the US and Denmark already signed in 1951. He spoke of a win-win-win situation for the security of the US, Greenland and the rest of the NATO area.
NATO Secretary-General Rutte agrees. He said the agreement strengthens NATO's collective security.
Russia and shipping routes
Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory within the Danish kingdom. The US felt it had to increase its military presence there to prevent Russia from gaining a foothold. Greenland is of great strategic importance for control over shipping routes in the Arctic region. Greenland's soil is also rich in important and rare minerals.
Purchase rejected
Trump already said during his first term that he wanted to incorporate Greenland into the US. At that time, this was to be arranged by purchase, as the US had already tried in 1946. Danish politics resolutely rejected this proposal.
After the election campaign for his second term, in December 2019, Trump returned to the idea. "Owning and controlling Greenland is an absolute necessity," he said. Then-premier Egede of Greenland stated that Greenland was not for sale. "Not now and never," he said.
The bombshell exploded in January 2025, two weeks before Trump's inauguration as the 47th president of the US. During a press conference, Trump again said he wanted to incorporate Greenland and even did not rule out military intervention. By threatening military force against NATO member Denmark, he plunged the alliance into an unprecedented crisis.
Denmark and Greenland maintained that they would not give in to Trump's demand. However, they showed willingness to discuss the expansion of the American military presence.