Denmark Says Greenland Sovereignty Protected in US Military Deal

Denmark has insisted that its sovereignty over Greenland will remain intact under an emerging agreement with the United States that could significantly expand the American military presence on the strategically important Arctic island.

The United States, Denmark and Greenland announced Friday that they had reached an understanding allowing Washington to broaden its military footprint in the self-governing Danish territory while blocking adversarial countries from establishing military bases there.

Important details remain undisclosed, including the size of the planned US military expansion and whether Copenhagen or Nuuk would transfer any formal authority over foreign policy, security or natural resources to Washington.

The agreement, expected to be signed during the United Nations General Assembly next week, could ease months of tensions following President Donald Trump’s statements about gaining control of Greenland.

Trump said the United States would have lasting authority to take measures it considers necessary to protect Greenland and US security interests. He also said foreign adversaries would be prevented from establishing bases, military operations or sensitive investments in Greenland without Washington’s approval.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the agreement should strengthen Arctic and North Atlantic security while respecting the Danish Kingdom’s established limits. Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen similarly said the proposed arrangement recognizes the kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and Greenlanders’ right to self-determination.

The agreement comes after months of negotiations prompted by Trump’s earlier threats concerning Greenland, which strained relations among NATO allies. NATO welcomed the emerging arrangement, saying it could strengthen security, stability and cooperation in the strategically important Arctic region.

However, questions remain about Washington’s longer-term ambitions. Mikkel Vedby Rasmussen, a political science professor at the University of Copenhagen, said US strategic interest in Greenland and its natural resources is unlikely to disappear.

Some Greenland residents also remain wary of deeper US involvement. In Nuuk, retired chef Marianne Hansen said Trump should stay away from Greenland and rejected the prospect of future generations becoming Americans.