Donald Trump signed a security agreement with Denmark and Greenland on Tuesday at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, opening the way for two new U.S. military bases on the island. The accord eases tensions over Trump's repeated calls for Greenland to become part of the United States while keeping the island under Danish control, PBS NewsHour reported. Under the 10-page text, which the Korea Times reported gives Washington control over security in Denmark's autonomous Arctic territory, the parties reaffirmed Danish sovereignty and recognised Greenland's right to self-determination.
What does the agreement allow? Addressing the General Assembly beforehand, Trump said the U.S. would "immediately begin the process of developing a large military presence in the appropriate locations," including "building two very major military bases." The text, released by the three governments after the signing, lets the U.S. set up "defense areas" at Narsarsuaq in the south and Mestersvig in the east and "modernize and expand" its activities at the existing Pituffik Space Base, PBS NewsHour reported. The accord also grants wide U.S. military mobility, including "undersea access," but does not specify troop numbers or timelines.
How does it treat NATO and a future independent Greenland? The pact has no end date, and if Greenland becomes independent it must stay in NATO, applying for membership if necessary. Countries outside NATO may not keep a persistent military presence on the island unless the signatories agree otherwise. In a section aimed at barring China and Russia from gaining a foothold in the Arctic, investors from states outside NATO, its partners or the European Union are blocked from controlling sensitive sectors in Greenland, the Korea Times reported.
How did the leaders react? "This is tremendous for Europe and for the United States and for everybody," Trump said just before signing, though he did not respond to questions about whether a U.S. acquisition of Greenland was off the table. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called it a "deal that can last forever," and Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen called it "a win-win-win agreement." NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said in a post on X that the accord "enhances our collective security." Naaja Nathanielsen, one of Greenland's two lawmakers in the Danish parliament, said "a lot of trust has been tested" but called the deal "a huge step in the right direction."
What happens next? The parliaments of Greenland and Denmark must approve the agreement before it takes effect, and it can be amended only by mutual consent, the Korea Times reported.
Figures referenced: Donald Trump. — JudgeMarket.
