Months after threatening to forcibly annex the self-governing region, President Donald Trump said that the US has negotiated a deal with Denmark and Greenland that grants the US "permanent control" over Greenland's security.
NATO members fiercely opposed the president's proposals to place Greenland under US rule; Denmark is a member of the collective security-based alliance. Trump has downplayed these concerns, claiming that the island's mineral resources and defense were essential.
"The United States of America and the Kingdom of Denmark have reached an agreement that grants the United States permanent sovereignty over security and all other needs in Greenland, fully addressing ALL of our numerous U.S. concerns.
The United States won't incur any costs! Trump described the agreement as "an 'Infinite Life' Agreement" in a post on Truth Social.
Greenland is still governed by Denmark, according to Trump's announcement on Friday, which was made before the official text was made public. How far this deal differs from a 1951 agreement between the US and Denmark that permitted a widespread US military presence in Greenland is unknown.
Despite this, Trump portrayed the agreement as a victory in light of the impending midterm elections and the internal criticism he is facing due to the continued Iranian crisis.
"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 continued.
He went on to say that the US would "immediately begin" constructing its own "large military presence" and collaborate with the residents of Greenland, a Danish territory, on "its development and construction."
Since the signing of the Defense of Greenland Treaty in 1951, the United States has maintained Pituffik Space Base in northwest Greenland.
The military facility helps the US and NATO with satellite surveillance, missile defense, and missile warning.
According to a statement from the Danish prime minister's office, the United States, Greenland, and Denmark are scheduled to sign an agreement on "strengthened security in the Arctic and North Atlantic Area" during the UN General Assembly next week.
Mette Frederiksen stated, "I am happy that we are about to make a great agreement for Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark, and the United States." The deal would also be "great for NATO and Europe as well."
The accord "recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom and the Greenlandic people's right to self-determination," she added.
A NATO spokeswoman stated that the agreement will "help advance security, stability and cooperation in this vital region" and pledged NATO's continued assistance in bolstering Arctic security, a region it considers crucial to the alliance's overall security.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the prime minister of Greenland, stated that "the agreement recognizes Greenland's interests and our place in the international cooperation" and that "it is to the benefit of us all."
Parliamentary procedures would still need to be followed for the signed accord.
Barred to non-NATO members
According to a US official, the pact grants the US "permanent access, basing, and overflight rights" on the island.
The US official stated that it ensures "the necessary mechanisms are in place to prevent investment in sensitive sectors," adding 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."
For many years, both China and Russia have increased their military presence in the Arctic.
In a statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed that the deal "permanently and completely addresses our national security concerns in Greenland."
Trump frequently emphasized earlier this year how crucial it was for the US to acquire Greenland for national security reasons, but in recent months, the topic has mostly disappeared from the public consciousness.
The NATO alliance experienced a diplomatic crisis and a rush to try to diffuse the threat as a result of Trump's repeated assertions that he would seize Greenland.
A "high-level working group to explore if we can find a common way forward" was established in January amid ongoing disputes over the island's sovereignty, according to Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, following a meeting between Danish and Greenlandic officials and Vise President JD Vance and Rubio.
However, as the year went on and the US was involved in a number of other problems, the issue appeared to lose public attention.
