US, Denmark, and Greenland Reach Security Agreement Expanding American Military Presence and Banning Non-NATO Bases, Leaving Sovereignty With Denmark Despite Trump's Permanent Control Claims

The United States, Denmark, and Greenland reached a security agreement announced September 18-19, 2026 that expands US military presence in Greenland and bans non-NATO bases on the island. President Trump said the deal gives the United States permanent control over security and all other needs in Greenland, completely addressing all US concerns, and that his administration would immediately begin developing a larger military presence. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen clarified in a joint statement September 19 that the agreement does not compromise Greenland's sovereignty or territorial integrity and recognizes the Greenlandic people's right to self-determination. The deal will be signed by all three governments next week during the UN General Assembly, but requires parliamentary approval in Denmark and Greenland before enforcement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it a historic deal and huge win, saying Greenland will forever be part of the strategic defense area of North America and exclude any adversary from it and the surrounding area. The agreement bans any non-NATO base in Greenland, limits adversaries from making investments, and guarantees China and Russia cannot have a base there, according to a State Department official. The deal came after months of quiet negotiation following Trump's repeated threats since January 2025 to take Greenland by force, which triggered a major diplomatic crisis with Denmark, a NATO founding member. At the July 2026 Ankara NATO summit, Trump restated his opinion that it would be better if Greenland was controlled by the US rather than Denmark. The 1951 Defense of Greenland Agreement already established extensive US military rights, and the 2026 agreement builds on that existing framework.