Trump signs security deal with Denmark and Greenland in New York

Donald Trump signed a security agreement with Denmark and Greenland on Tuesday in New York, during a ceremony organized on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The American president was surrounded by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the head of the Greenlandic government, Jens-Frederik Nielsen. He welcomed the start of a “fantastic” relationship, which he considers beneficial for NATO.

The agreement notably provides for a strengthening of the American military presence in the immense Arctic territory. Donald Trump announced to the General Assembly the construction of “two very large military bases”. According to the text signed Tuesday, the United States will be able to establish new defense zones in Narsarsuaq, in southern Greenland, and in Mestersvig, on the east coast. Washington will also be able to modernize and develop its activities in Pituffik, in the north, where it already has its only active military base on the island.

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“Positive progress”

The agreement also provides for a clause concerning the institutional future of Greenland. In the event that the territory exercises its right to self-determination and becomes independent, Copenhagen and Nuuk undertake to ensure that the new state remains a member of NATO. “The Government of the Kingdom of Denmark and the Government of Greenland will jointly ensure that the independent Greenlandic State agrees to remain a member of NATO,” states the text.

In addition, the agreement prohibits any actor outside the EU and NATO from exercising control in strategic sectors. “Taking into account the threat to national security and public order posed by increased efforts by adversaries to expand their influence and control in Greenland, the Parties agree that States or investors from a State that is neither a NATO Member, a NATO Partner, nor an EU Member State shall not be permitted to exercise control, (...) significant influence, or have access to non-public information that may constitute a threat to national security or public order public within particularly sensitive sectors or activities on the territory of Greenland,” specifies the agreement in its article 10.

The Danish government had stressed before the signing that the agreement should strengthen security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic while recognizing “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom” and the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination. The agreement represents a “positive” step for Arctic security, welcomed the President of the European Council, a body which brings together the leaders of the 27 EU countries. “This is a positive step forward for transatlantic cooperation and security in the Arctic, based on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination,” Antonio Costa said on X.