Trump announces permanent US security deal with Denmark over Greenland

President Donald Trump announced Friday that the United States has entered into what he called an "Infinite Life" agreement with Denmark and Greenland, granting the US permanent control over the Arctic island's security and the ability to expand its military presence there. The deal, which stops short of the sovereignty transfer Trump once sought, bars US adversaries from establishing bases or making sensitive investments in Greenland without Washington's written approval.

"I am pleased to announce that the United States of America has entered into an Agreement with The Kingdom of Denmark, and Greenland, that gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland," Trump wrote on Truth Social. He added the arrangement would come at "NO COST to the United States."axios+1

Denmark and Greenland confirmed the deal in a joint statement, saying the formal signing is expected next week during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, though the agreement must still pass parliamentary procedures in both countries before taking effect.thehill+1

What the Deal Includes

According to a senior US official who outlined the agreement to Fox News, the US gains permanent access, basing, and overflight rights in Greenland, along with the ability to establish additional military installations without needing Danish or Greenlandic approval. The deal restricts China, Russia, and other non-NATO countries from establishing military bases or investing in sensitive sectors on the island.foxnews

Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it "a huge win for the United States," telling Fox News Digital that the agreement "permanently guarantees U.S. security interests in the Arctic at zero cost to the U.S. taxpayer."foxnews

The agreement expands on a 1951 defense treaty that already gave the US broad military access to Greenland, including operation of Pituffik Space Base. Politico noted it was not immediately clear how the new arrangement differs from the existing treaty, which also has no expiration date.politico+1

Reactions From Denmark and Greenland

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a statement that the agreement "recognizes Greenland's interests and our place in international cooperation. It is to the benefit of us all". Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the deal "recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom and the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination".france24+2

A Long Road to Compromise

Trump has fixated on Greenland since before returning to the White House in January 2025, at times refusing to rule out taking the island by military force — rhetoric that strained relations with Denmark and NATO. Danish and Greenlandic leaders repeatedly said Greenland was not for sale, and seven European heads of state issued a joint statement earlier this year affirming the island's sovereignty.independent+1

Months of quiet negotiations between Rubio, White House adviser Stephen Miller, and Danish and Greenlandic officials ultimately produced a compromise. As Reuters reported earlier Friday, the deal results in an expanded US military footprint but falls well short of Trump's original ambition of acquiring the territory.reuters+1