Trump strikes Greenland deal with Denmark after threatening annexation
An American flag is displayed on the facade of the US consulate in Nuuk
By Kit Maher, Jennifer Hansler, Hira Humayun, Charlotte Reck, CNN
(CNN) — President Donald Trump said the United States reached an agreement with Denmark and Greenland that gives the US “permanent control” over Greenland’s security – months after Trump threatened to forcibly seize the self-governing territory.
The president’s demands to take Greenland under US control faced fierce opposition from NATO allies, with Denmark part of the bloc founded on collective security. Trump had dismissed such fears, portraying the island as vital for defense and its mineral assets.
“The United States of America has entered into an Agreement with The Kingdom of Denmark, and Greenland, that gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many U.S. concerns. There will be NO COST to the United States!” Trump wrote on Truth Social, going on to call the arrangement “an ‘Infinite Life’ Agreement.”
Trump’s announcement Friday means Greenland remains under Danish control and came ahead of the official text being released. It is unclear how far this agreement differs from an existing 1951 pact between the US and Denmark that allowed broad US military presence in Greenland.
Despite this, Trump painted the deal as a win, with the mid terms looming and as he faces a domestic backlash over the ongoing Iran conflict.
“From now on, no U.S. adversary can EVER have a base in Greenland, have a military presence in Greenland, or make sensitive investments in Greenland, without our express written approval,” Trump added.
He continued that the US would “immediately begin” building its own “large military presence” and work with the people in Greenland, a Danish territory, on “its development and construction.”
The US has operated Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland since the Defense of Greenland Treaty was signed in 1951. The military base supports missile warning, missile defense and space surveillance for the US and NATO.
Confirming the agreement, the United States, Greenland and Denmark are expected to sign a deal on “strengthened security in the Arctic and North Atlantic Area” next week at the UN General Assembly, the Danish prime minister’s office said a statement.
“I am glad that we are about to make a great agreement for Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark, and the United States,” Mette Frederiksen said, adding that the agreement would be “great for NATO and Europe as well.”
She also said the agreement “recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom and the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination.”
A NATO spokesperson promised NATO’s ongoing support in strengthening Arctic security – a territory it deems essential for the collective security of the alliance – and said the deal will “help advance security, stability and cooperation in this vital region.”
Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said “the agreement recognizes Greenland’s interests and our place in the international cooperation,” adding, “It is to the benefit of us all.”
The signed agreement would still have to go through parliamentary procedures.
Non-NATO members barred
A US official said the agreement includes “permanent access, basing, and overflight rights” for the US on the island.
The US official noted that “under the previous status quo, any country, including adversaries, could be allowed to build a military base in Greenland or send troops to Greenland,” adding that it guarantees “the necessary mechanisms are in place to prevent investment in sensitive sectors.”
Russia has expanded its military footprint in the Arctic for decades, and China has also deepened its presence there.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement the agreement “permanently and completely addresses our national security concerns in Greenland.”
Earlier this year, Trump repeatedly insisted on the importance of the United States obtaining Greenland for national security purposes, but discussion on the matter had largely faded from public view in recent months.
Trump’s repeated claims about seizing Greenland set off a diplomatic crisis within the NATO alliance and a scramble to try to defuse the threat.
In January, after a meeting between Danish and Greenlandic officials and Vice President JD Vance and Rubio, the United States, Denmark and Greenland formed a “high-level working group to explore if we can find a common way forward” amid ongoing disputes around the sovereignty of the island, in the words of Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
But the issue seemed to fade from public view as the year progressed, and the US became embroiled in a string of other crises.
This story has been updated with additional details.
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