Denmark and Greenland have clarified that an upcoming security agreement with the United States will not compromise their sovereignty, countering US President Donald Trump’s claim that the deal would give Washington “permanent control” over Greenland’s security. The agreement, expected to be signed on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, aims to strengthen defence cooperation in the Arctic and North Atlantic, regions increasingly shaped by great‑power competition.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said the deal would be a “binding agreement” that enhances shared security within NATO and Europe, while respecting the Danish Kingdom’s red lines. Both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly stressed that Greenland is not for sale, a point they have had to reiterate since Trump’s earlier attempt to purchase the island in 2019.
The agreement reportedly allows the US to expand its military presence in Greenland, a strategically vital territory between North America and Europe. Washington argues that such presence is necessary to prevent Russia and China from establishing bases in the Arctic, where melting ice has opened new shipping routes and intensified geopolitical rivalry. Trump has warned that adversaries are seeking a foothold in Greenland, and US officials have stated they will not allow this.
While the US frames the deal as essential for Arctic security, Denmark and Greenland emphasise that sovereignty remains intact and that cooperation will occur strictly within agreed boundaries. The details of the arrangement remain unclear, but all sides agree on the need to bolster security amid rising tensions in the region.