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By Dan Gooding, Steve Mollman, and Alex Backus
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President Donald Trump announced Friday that the United States had reached an agreement with Denmark to take "permanent control" over Greenland's security and "all other needs."
In a post on Truth Social, the president said the agreement addressed "ALL of our many U.S. concerns." He added that the agreement came at no cost to the U.S.
"At my direction, we worked with representatives of Denmark and Greenland to guarantee that the United States will FOREVER have the complete ability to do what is necessary in Greenland in order to secure and defend the security of Greenland, and the United States of America," Trump said.
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"Additionally, from now on, 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."
However, Danish and Greenlandic leaders described the deal somewhat differently. In a joint statement released Friday and provided to Newsweek by Denmark's Foreign Ministry, the governments of Greenland and Denmark said they and the United States are expected to sign an agreement on strengthened security in the Arctic and North Atlantic area next week during the United Nations General Assembly.
While Trump announced that the agreement had been reached, the statement said the accord is expected to be signed next week and would enter into force only after the necessary national parliamentary procedures are completed.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the agreement would "ensure and strengthen the security of Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark, the United States, and the Western Alliance" while recognizing Greenland's interests and role in international cooperation.
"It is to the benefit of us all,” Nielsen wrote in a statement.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the agreement would strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic region while also recognizing "the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom and the Greenlandic people's right to self-determination."
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On Saturday, Nielsen again emphasized that point, saying in a Facebook post that the agreement "recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our Kingdom and the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination."
Earlier this year, Nielsen reiterated the Arctic territory is “not for sale,” adding Greenland “does not want to be owned” by the United States.
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Neither Nielsen nor Frederiksen described the agreement as a transfer of sovereignty. Instead, both framed it as a security agreement among Greenland, Denmark and the United States.
The announcement came at around 11:15 p.m. local time in Denmark. After being contacted by Newsweek, Denmark's Foreign Ministry referred to the press release and said it had no further comment.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the “historic” deal a “huge win” for the United States.
“Greenland will forever be part of the strategic defense area of North America and exclude any adversary from it and the surrounding area,” Rubio said, according to the Associated press “This deal permanently and completely addresses our national security concerns in Greenland.”
Trump's Greenland Announcement: What He Said
Trump took to Truth Social shortly after a press gathering in the Oval Office Friday. He said the deal came after over 100 years of American presidents knowing the strategic importance of the Danish territory.
"I am proud to be the President that permanently and conclusively addressed this very important situation," Trump said. "This is an 'Infinite Life' Agreement, there is no end!
"We are very honored and proud of what has just taken place, and everything agreed to today will be cherished by the American People," he said. "We will immediately begin the process of developing a large Military presence in the appropriate part of Greenland, of which there are many. We will work with the people of Greenland in its development and construction."
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The president went on to say the solution was "a great one" not just for Americans, but Greenlanders and the Danish, as well as other U.S. allies. Trump promised the U.S. would be protective of the "highly strategic" parcel of land, which is the 12th largest country in the world.
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Trump and others within his administration have frequently said they would like to see Greenland become a U.S. territory or state, with Vice President JD Vance traveling there in March 2025.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the “historic” deal a “huge win” for the United States.
“Greenland will forever be part of the strategic defense area of North America and exclude any adversary from it and the surrounding area,” Rubio wrote on X late Friday. “This deal permanently and completely addresses our national security concerns in Greenland.”
Writing on Facebook, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said he hoped "a time of uncertainty will give way to a binding agreement" that strengthens Arctic security while respecting the Danish kingdom's "red lines."
Key details of the agreement have not yet been made public, including the extent of any expanded U.S. military presence in Greenland and whether any formal authority over foreign policy, investments or natural resources would be affected.
The president has said that part of his reasoning for wanting control of Greenland is because of concerns that Russian and Chinese military forces could move into the area should the U.S. not have a stronger presence on land, which holds key natural resources and sits along important shipping routes.
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