Trump says the U.S. and Denmark reached a deal giving America "permanent control over security" in Greenland
Danish officials have not confirmed the terms, and no text has been signed or released; Denmark and Greenland both said they expect a signing soon.
The claim. President Trump said late Friday, Sept. 18, that the United States has reached an agreement with Denmark and Greenland that gives America "permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland." He described it as permanent U.S. access, basing and military rights on the island, which is a self-governing territory of Denmark and home to about 57,000 people. The gap. No agreement text has been published, and Danish officials have not confirmed Trump's description of it. Denmark and Greenland each said they expect something to be signed soon. What's already there. Greenland already hosts the U.S. Pituffik Space Base, and a 1951 defense treaty with Denmark already lets American forces operate there. Still open. Whether the signed text says "permanent control over security" — Trump's phrase — or something narrower about basing and access.
PREVIOUSLY
- Mon Sept. 7 — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen went to Nuuk, Greenland's capital, and pledged European Union money for the island, promising to more than double the sum later. The same week, 11 NATO countries — not the United States — ran military exercises there.