Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Trump Announces Greenland Deal as Denmark Rejects Sovereignty Transfer
Donald Trump says the United States, Denmark and Greenland have agreed on a new security plan for Greenland.
He calls it an “Infinite Life” agreement because he says it will have no end date.
Trump says America will always be able to defend Greenland and build a much larger military presence there.
The reported plan would keep countries seen as American rivals from building bases or making certain sensitive investments on the island.
Denmark and Greenland say the plan does not give the United States ownership or control of Greenland’s government.
They say Greenland remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark and that Greenlanders can decide their own future.
The United States already has a military base and broad access rights under an older 1951 agreement.
The complete new agreement has not been released, so its exact meaning is still uncertain.
It is expected to be signed during the United Nations General Assembly and must undergo parliamentary procedures.
Donald Trump announced an “Infinite Life” security agreement involving the United States, Denmark and Greenland.
Trump said the pact gives the United States permanent authority over Greenland’s security and permits a major military expansion.
Reported terms would bar non-NATO adversaries from bases or military presence and restrict certain sensitive investments in Greenland.
Denmark and Greenland said the arrangement preserves the Kingdom of Denmark’s sovereignty, Greenland’s territorial integrity and Greenlanders’ right to self-determination.
The agreement’s full text remains unpublished; formal signing and parliamentary approval are still required before it takes effect.
- Who
- United States President Donald Trump, the governments of the United States and Denmark, Greenlandic authorities, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
- What
- A proposed security agreement that would expand U.S. military access and restrict rival military activity and sensitive investments in Greenland.
- When
- Announced on September 18-19, 2026; formal signing was expected during the following week’s United Nations General Assembly.
- Where
- Greenland and the wider Arctic and North Atlantic regions.
- Why
- Trump and U.S. officials said the agreement addresses American security concerns and prevents rivals from gaining a military or strategic foothold in Greenland.
Trump and U.S. Officials
Denmark and Greenland
Meaning of the agreement
Trump and U.S. Officials
Trump described the pact as giving the United States permanent control over Greenland’s security and all other security-related needs. Marco Rubio said it permanently and completely addresses U.S. national-security concerns.
Denmark and Greenland
Denmark and Greenland described the arrangement as security cooperation that preserves the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenlanders’ right to self-determination.
Military expansion
Trump and U.S. Officials
Trump said the United States would immediately begin developing a large military presence, and a U.S. official said Washington could expand the number of bases as required.
Denmark and Greenland
Denmark and Greenland supported stronger Arctic and North Atlantic security but did not publicly confirm the scale, locations or timing of any new U.S. bases.
Strategic and diplomatic impact
Trump and U.S. Officials
U.S. officials said the agreement would exclude adversaries such as Russia and China from military and sensitive investment opportunities in Greenland and its surrounding strategic area.
Denmark and Greenland
Critics and some experts questioned whether expanded U.S. rights were worth the damage caused to relations with NATO allies and warned that exclusive American access could create new sovereignty and alliance concerns.
- Agreement name
- Trump called it an “Infinite Life” agreement with no expiry.
- Trump’s description
- Trump said the United States would have permanent control over Greenland’s security and could take necessary defensive measures.
- Reported military terms
- The United States would receive permanent access, basing and overflight rights, while non-NATO countries would be barred from establishing bases.
- Investment restrictions
- Certain sensitive investments by U.S. adversaries would require Washington’s approval; one U.S. official said only the United States and its allies would be allowed to make such investments.
- Sovereignty position
- Denmark and Greenland said the arrangement recognises Danish sovereignty, Greenland’s territorial integrity and Greenlanders’ right to self-determination.
- Approval status
- The full text was not public, and signing plus national parliamentary procedures were still required.
- Existing U.S. presence
- The United States already operates Pituffik Space Base under a 1951 agreement with Denmark.
- NATO response
- A NATO spokesperson welcomed the agreement as a potential contribution to Arctic and North Atlantic security.
Sources
Trump signs deal to give US 'permanent control' over Greenland
Trump says US has security deal on Greenland with Denmark
US, Denmark reach Greenland deal to expand US military presence; island remains under Danish control
Greenland, Denmark say US deal won't cede sovereignty despite Trump’s ‘permanent control’ claim
‘Dream come true’: Trump on new US-Denmark deal for Greenland
Trump's Greenland dream comes true? POTUS announces 'Infinite Life' deal with Denmark, claims permanent US control
Denmark, Greenland say US deal will not cede sovereignty as Trump claims ‘permanent control’
