The United States, Denmark and Greenland signed a defense agreement in New York on Tuesday, September 22, allowing more American military installations in Greenland while affirming Danish sovereignty.
President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Naalakkersuisut Chairman Jens-Frederik Nielsen signed the deal at a ceremony on Tuesday afternoon. As DR reports, the three countries had negotiated the text for several months before it was published.
The agreement describes how the three parties will cooperate on security in Greenland and the Arctic. According to a statement from the Danish Prime Minister’s Office, it covers security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic. The text states that the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark is respected.
Two new defense areas
The United States currently operates one base in Greenland, Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule. Under the agreement, it may build two more, at Narsarsuaq and at Mestersvig. Reuters describes these as designated defense areas.
Per Reuters, the United States may also modernize and expand its activities at Pituffik. The agreement grants broad rights for American aircraft to fly over and land in Greenland, along with undersea access. Reuters further reports that it allows a US Golden Dome missile defense system in Greenland.
ABC News adds that non-NATO countries are barred from setting up military installations or a persistent military presence in Greenland. Such a presence would require the agreement of all three signatories. The document also sets frameworks for which states and investors are welcome.
According to ABC News, the agreement has no end date. It would continue to apply if Greenland becomes independent, provided the country remains in NATO. Greenland would then assume Denmark’s rights and obligations under the deal.
DR notes that the agreement follows years of American attempts to gain control of Greenland. Trump had repeatedly demanded ownership of the island and raised the possibility of using military force against allies. The signed text states that Greenland itself has the right to decide its own future.
Reuters reports that the deal was intended to end months of tension caused by those demands. The same outlet notes that the text does not specify troop numbers or timelines. Questions about Greenland’s autonomy ran through the negotiations.
DR political analyst Rikke Gjøl Mansø says sources close to the talks describe nerves among Danish and Greenlandic officials and politicians. According to her account, that tension lasted until the signing ceremony with Trump began.
