The United States, Denmark, and Greenland signed an agreement to expand the US military presence.

US President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen signed the Greenland Security Agreement. The ceremony took place on September 22 in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

Reuters writes about this.

The document envisages an expansion of the US military presence on the island. Washington will be able to modernize and expand operations at the existing Pitufik base, as well as establish two new military facilities—in Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland and Mestersvig on the east coast. The agreement also allows for the establishment of other US defense facilities, subject to agreement between the parties.

American aircraft and ships will be granted broad rights of passage within Greenland, including its territorial waters. However, the agreement does not specify the specific number of US troops or the timeframe for the deployment of additional forces.

The document supplements the Greenland Defense Agreement between the United States and Denmark, which dates back to 1951. However, Greenland does not transfer control to the United States; it remains an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. The text also affirms the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination.

The agreement imposes restrictions on states that are not NATO members, Alliance partners, or EU members. Specifically, they will not be able to establish military facilities in Greenland without the consent of the parties. It also limits the ability of states and investors to gain control or significant influence over the island’s strategic sectors, particularly critical infrastructure and resource extraction.

The document also envisages a scenario in which Greenland becomes independent in the future. In this case, it would remain a member of NATO and the relevant provisions of the agreement would continue to apply.

The treaty is of unlimited duration and will enter into force after Denmark and Greenland complete the necessary parliamentary procedures and notify the United States of this by diplomatic note.

The agreement was the result of months of negotiations amid Trump’s stated intention to seize control of Greenland. The new document does not provide for the island’s transfer to the United States, but it significantly expands the American military presence in the Arctic.