President Donald Trump signed a new security agreement with Denmark and Greenland on September 22, 2026, expanding the United States’ military access and presence in Greenland. The agreement was signed in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly by Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

The agreement comes after months of tension over Trump’s previous efforts to acquire Greenland. Rather than transferring sovereignty, the new pact keeps Greenland within the Kingdom of Denmark while giving Washington broader military access and security responsibilities on the strategically important Arctic island.

What the Greenland Agreement Does

The agreement amends and supplements the existing 1951 U.S.-Denmark defense agreement concerning Greenland.

Under the new arrangement, the United States can modernize and expand activities at Pituffik Space Base and establish additional defense areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig. The agreement also allows the parties to consider additional U.S. defense areas in Greenland through a mutual consultation process.

The White House agreement says the arrangements are intended to strengthen security in the Arctic and help defend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization area, Greenland and North America.

U.S. Gains Broader Military Access

The agreement gives U.S. military aircraft and public vessels broad access to Greenland and its territorial waters.

It allows U.S. aircraft to fly over and land in Greenland and provides for movement between defense areas. U.S. vessels can also receive access to Greenland’s territorial waters under the terms established by the agreement.

The agreement also provides a framework for establishing unmanned military installations outside designated defense areas, subject to review by Denmark and Greenland.

Two Additional Defense Areas

One of the most significant elements is the authorization for additional U.S. defense areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig.

Trump said before the signing that the agreement would allow the United States to build two new bases in Greenland. Existing U.S. facilities include Pituffik Space Base, which supports missile-warning, missile-defense and space-surveillance operations.

The agreement does not automatically establish every possible future facility. Additional defense areas require consultations and agreement among the parties under the terms of the pact.

Greenland Remains Under Danish Sovereignty

The agreement does not transfer Greenland to the United States.

Greenland remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Greenlandic and Danish leaders emphasized sovereignty and Greenland’s right to self-determination during the signing ceremony.

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the agreement recognizes Greenland’s interests, rights and way of life while strengthening cooperation with the United States and NATO.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen similarly emphasized the territorial integrity of Denmark and Greenland’s right to self-determination.

Restrictions on Non-NATO Military Presence

The agreement also introduces restrictions aimed at preventing non-NATO countries from establishing military facilities in Greenland.

According to the agreement, countries that are not NATO members cannot establish their own military installations or maintain a persistent military presence in Greenland unless the parties agree otherwise.

The pact also establishes restrictions on certain foreign investments in particularly sensitive sectors where they could create national-security or public-order concerns.

These provisions are particularly relevant to concerns about strategic competition in the Arctic involving countries such as Russia and China.

Why Greenland Matters Strategically

Greenland occupies a strategically important position between North America and Europe.

Its location makes the island important for:

• Missile warning
• Air and space surveillance
• Arctic military operations
• North Atlantic security
• NATO defense planning
• Monitoring activity in the Arctic

The Arctic has also gained importance as melting sea ice creates greater opportunities for shipping, resource development and military activity.

The new agreement therefore connects Greenland’s local security arrangements with broader North American and NATO defense planning.

Agreement Has No End Date

Another notable provision is the agreement’s permanent nature.

The White House text says the agreement has no end date and can only be amended by mutual consent under the procedures of the underlying 1951 defense agreement.

It also addresses the possibility of Greenland eventually becoming independent from Denmark.

If Greenland becomes independent, the agreement states that the future Greenlandic state would assume the relevant rights and obligations under the defense arrangements and remain connected to NATO under the agreement’s terms.

Parliamentary Approval Still Required

Although the agreement was signed on September 22, it does not immediately enter into force.

The White House document states that it will become effective after the necessary parliamentary procedures in Denmark together with Greenland are completed and formally communicated to the United States.

This means the signing represents an important diplomatic step, but implementation remains dependent on the required approvals.

A New Phase in the Greenland Dispute

The agreement follows a period of intense diplomatic tension.

Trump had previously argued that Greenland was strategically important to U.S. security and had discussed acquiring the territory. Denmark and Greenland repeatedly maintained that Greenland was not for sale.

The new agreement provides a different framework: Greenland remains under Danish sovereignty while the United States receives substantially expanded military access and defense capabilities.

Reuters described the pact as an effort to resolve the Arctic standoff while strengthening U.S. security arrangements in Greenland.

NATO and Arctic Security

The agreement also emphasizes stronger NATO involvement in the Arctic.

The three parties agreed to support greater NATO engagement through planning, military presence, exercises and intelligence cooperation.

For Denmark and Greenland, the agreement provides a framework for continued cooperation with Washington while keeping Greenland’s sovereignty intact.

For the United States, it provides expanded access to a strategically located territory that has long been considered important to the defense of North America.

What Happens Next?

The next major step is the parliamentary approval process.

Several issues will also require attention as the agreement is implemented:

• Expansion of Pituffik Space Base
• Development of Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig defense areas
• Future U.S. military infrastructure
• NATO Arctic cooperation
• Foreign investment screening
• Greenlandic participation in defense projects
• Protection of local communities and traditional activities

The agreement says U.S. activities should respect Greenlandic society, including hunting, fishing and other traditional and cultural activities.

Conclusion

The U.S.-Denmark-Greenland security agreement signed on September 22, 2026, marks a major change in the military relationship surrounding Greenland.

The agreement keeps Greenland under Danish sovereignty while allowing the United States to expand its military presence, modernize Pituffik Space Base and establish additional defense areas. It also restricts non-NATO military installations and certain foreign investments in sensitive areas.

The pact does not immediately take effect because parliamentary procedures in Denmark and Greenland still need to be completed.

Its implementation will be closely watched because Greenland’s location makes it increasingly important to Arctic security, NATO defense and North Atlantic military planning.