Greenland deal lets US build two military bases

The United States will build two military bases in Greenland under a security agreement signed on Tuesday by the United States, Greenland and Denmark.

The 10-page agreement, signed in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, gives Washington control over security in Denmark's autonomous Arctic territory. It says the United States will establish bases at Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland and Mestersvig in eastern Greenland, in addition to the Pituffik base it already operates in the north.

The agreement reaffirms “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark” and recognises Greenland's “right to self-determination.” It also blocks states or investors from countries that are not NATO members, NATO partners or EU members from having control, significant influence or access to sensitive non-public information in strategic sectors in Greenland, unless the parties agree the activity would not threaten national security or public order.

The deal says Greenland, which has 57,000 inhabitants, must continue to abide by the agreement if it becomes independent from Denmark and must remain in or join NATO “if necessary.”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said after the signing that Denmark was “in a better place” than the day before and said she hoped the agreement would bring “more peace of mind in Greenland.” Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen called the deal “a step in a really good direction,” while adding that trust in Greenland would need to be rebuilt.

Since returning to the White House in January 2025, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said the United States needed to control Greenland for strategic reasons, alarming NATO ally Denmark. Under a 1951 defence pact updated in 2004, Washington was already able to increase its military presence on the island if it informed Denmark and Greenland in advance.