Photo: Collected
Denmark on Saturday welcomed, terming it ‘binding’, the deal announced by US President Donald Trump to ensure Washington’s ‘permanent control’ over Greenland’s security and a ban on Russia and China setting up bases in this Arctic territory.
Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly claimed that control of Greenland needs to be in the hands of the United States for strategic reasons. This worried NATO ally Denmark, and a strong reaction emerged from within the alliance as well. News agency AFP reported this from Copenhagen.
Denmark and the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland have both welcomed the deal. They said the deal will be signed next week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen wrote on social media, ‘It is to be hoped that there will be a binding agreement that ends the long-standing uncertainty and strengthens the security of the Arctic and North Atlantic region.’ He said the deal has respected Denmark’s ‘red lines’, or fundamental interests, and that it is ‘important’ in the changed security situation.
Denmark’s sovereignty
The terms of the deal are not yet fully clear. However, Denmark says its sovereignty remains intact.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said this deal with Washington ‘recognises the sovereignty, territorial integrity and right to self-determination of the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland.’ In her view, it is ‘good for NATO and Europe.’
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the deal ‘will recognise Greenland’s interests’ and ‘strengthen’ its security.
French President Emmanuel Macron also commented on the matter on Saturday. He said the deal will help ‘reaffirm Denmark’s sovereignty’ over this Arctic territory.
However, a mixed reaction was seen among residents of Greenland’s capital, Nuuk. Soren Kreutzmann, a 29-year-old hair stylist, told AFP, ‘I do not exactly know what the deal is or what has been signed. But whenever the subject of the United States and Trump comes up, I have mixed feelings. I am not entirely comfortable with how much attention Greenland is getting now.’
Bibi Kleist Jepsen, a 64-year-old teacher, said, ‘We hope the leaders have made a good deal. Because our country needs to be kept protected from both sides – air and sea. Denmark has not given the matter enough importance for many years.’
Trump has termed the deal an ‘infinite life’ deal, meaning it has no end. He further said the United States will immediately begin building up a major military presence in Greenland.
Trump said, ‘From now on, no US adversary will ever be able to set up a base, maintain a military presence or invest in sensitive sectors in Greenland without the clear written approval of the United States.’
Although Trump has presented the deal as a great success, Danish analysts say he has probably not been able to achieve very much. They point out that under a 1951 defence agreement – which was updated in 2004 – Washington could already increase its military presence on the island by informing Denmark and Greenland in advance.
Trump has repeatedly warned that Russia and China are seeking to establish their own position in Greenland amid the strategic competition to expand dominance in the warming Arctic. The US State Department has also made it clear that they will not be allowed to do so.
A State Department official said, ‘This deal ensures that China and Russia will not be able to set up any base in Greenland or send troops there. Necessary measures to prevent investment in sensitive sectors have also been included in it.’ He further said, ‘The United States is concerned that any kind of Chinese presence could be turned into a military asset.’
However, noting that the details of the deal are not yet known, Gad said the matter of concern is what impact it will have on Europe’s NATO allies if the United States is given an ‘exclusive opportunity’ to build bases in Greenland. He raised the question, ‘Trump has repeatedly hinted at breaking up the NATO alliance. If Europe turns out to be an adversary, then what will be the position of Europe, Denmark and Greenland in such a situation?’
Several media outlets have reported that Washington wants to set up three new military bases in the southern part of Greenland. These will be added to the Pituffik base in the northern part of the territory.
When the dispute over Greenland had reached its peak, Trump did not rule out the possibility of using military force to take over this territory of 57,000 people. This spread concern in the European Union and NATO. Later, the tension eased somewhat. As a step to reassure Trump, NATO has launched an operation to strengthen the security of the Arctic region.
