President Trump announced on September 19, 2026 that the US entered an agreement with Denmark and Greenland granting the US permanent control over Greenland's security, expected to be signed at the UN General Assembly the following week. The deal followed Trump's January 2026 threat of 10 percent tariffs on European imports until a complete purchase was reached. A January 2026 Pew poll found 58 percent of Americans opposed a US takeover of Greenland.
Greenland security agreement
- ▪The United States will immediately begin developing a large military presence in Greenland following the security agreement with Denmark and Greenland announced by President Trump on September 19, 2026, granting the US permanent control over Greenland's security
- ▪Greenland's government leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated the Greenland security agreement announced by President Trump on September 18, 2026 recognizes Greenland's interests and Greenland's place in international cooperation
- ▪President Donald Trump announced on September 19, 2026 that the United States entered into an agreement with the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland that gives the United States permanent control over security in Greenland
- ▪Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated the Greenland security agreement announced by President Trump on September 19, 2026 recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and the Greenlandic people's right to self-determination
- ▪The Greenland security agreement announced by President Trump on September 19, 2026 was expected to be signed at the UN General Assembly in the week following September 19, 2026
Trump's strategic rationale
- ▪President Donald Trump stated in January 2025 that Denmark would not be able to secure Greenland from a national security standpoint
- ▪President Donald Trump argued the United States needed to control Greenland for national security purposes before Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025
- ▪President Donald Trump claimed in January 2025 that Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships
NATO alliance concerns
- ▪Seven European leaders issued a joint statement on January 6, 2026 stating that Greenland belongs to Greenland's people and that only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland
- ▪President Donald Trump threatened in January 2026 to impose a 10 percent tariff on imports from European allies until a deal was reached for the complete purchase of Greenland
- ▪President Donald Trump backed down from tariff threats against European allies, claiming to have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland with NATO chief Mark Rutte
- ▪Leaders from France, Germany, the United Kingdom and other U.S. allies stated in a January 6, 2026 joint statement that security in the Arctic concerning Greenland must be achieved collectively by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders
Greenlandic opposition
- ▪Protesters in Nuuk held a banner reading "Make America Go Away" and "We Are Not Property!" on the day President Donald Trump threatened tariffs against European nations over Greenland
- ▪Greenlander Lars Vintner, a heating engineer, stated in January 2026 that he never saw Russian or Chinese ships in Greenland during summer sailing and hunting
Debatable claims
- ▪Greenland faces a genuine security threat from Russia and China
- ▪The Greenland security agreement violates principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity
- ▪The Greenland security agreement adequately respects Greenlandic self-determination
- ▪The U.S. should establish permanent security control over Greenland
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