Nato welcomes Greenland deal as Trump says it will give US 'permanent security control'

NATO has formally welcomed a new security agreement concerning Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, following an announcement by former U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, September 18, 2026. Trump claimed the deal grants the United States "permanent control over security, and all other needs" in Greenland, asserting that it would allow for a significant increase in U.S. military presence and prevent non-NATO adversaries from establishing bases or making sensitive investments without U.S. approval. The agreement is anticipated to be formally signed next week during the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

While President Trump emphasized extensive U.S. control, leaders from Denmark and Greenland expressed a more nuanced view, welcoming the agreement but underscoring that it upholds Danish sovereignty and Greenland's right to self-determination. They view the pact as a positive step for strengthening security and stability in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions, benefiting NATO as a whole. Danish and Greenlandic officials also noted that parliamentary approval would be necessary before the deal could be fully enforced.

The security framework, which a NATO spokesperson confirmed would "help advance security, stability and cooperation in this vital region," builds upon existing defense agreements, such as the 1951 Greenland Defense Agreement. This development follows a period of heightened diplomatic tension surrounding Greenland, including earlier threats by Trump to acquire the territory, and coincides with NATO's "Arctic Sentry" mission, launched in early 2026 to enhance the alliance's presence and capabilities in the strategically important Arctic region.