US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a security agreement with Denmark and Greenland aimed at bolstering military cooperation in the Arctic and North Atlantic, while keeping the vast island under Danish sovereignty.
The pact, finalised on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, opens the way for an expanded US military presence in Greenland, including the modernisation of the existing Pituffik Space Base and the possible establishment of new defence areas.
“This is tremendous for Europe and for the United States and for everybody,” Trump said before the signing. “And for Greenland, it’s going to be incredible.”
Addressing the General Assembly earlier, he announced that the United States would “immediately begin the process of developing a large military presence in the appropriate locations,” including “building two very major military bases.”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the accord as “a deal that can last forever” and beneficial for all parties and the wider NATO alliance. “Mr. President, you have been very clear: You don’t want adversaries to come too close,” she said. “I fully agree.”
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen called it “a win-win-win agreement.” “Your security is our security,” he said, “and our security is your security.”
Under the agreement, the United States may expand activities at Pituffik and establish defence areas at Narsarsuaq in the south and Mestersvig in the east, with the possibility of additional sites. Contracts for related goods and services are to be awarded to Greenlandic sources “to the maximum extent possible.” The deal also provides for wide US military mobility, including undersea access, and prohibits non-NATO countries from setting up military installations in Greenland without the consent of the signatories.
The accord has no end date and would remain in force if Greenland opts for independence, with the territory agreeing to stay in NATO and assume Denmark’s rights and obligations.
