Trump strikes Greenland deal with Denmark after annexation threat

Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on September 18, 2026, that a deal had been struck with Denmark regarding Greenland, which he claimed grants the United States "permanent security control" over the strategically important Arctic territory. This announcement follows a period of heightened interest from Trump in Greenland and previous diplomatic tensions with Denmark over the idea of a U.S. purchase of the island. The agreement, which is expected to be formally signed at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, aims to bolster the U.S. military presence in Greenland without compromising the island's sovereignty, as affirmed by both Danish and Greenlandic leaders.

While the full details of the agreement remain undisclosed, Trump stated it ensures the U.S. has the complete ability to secure and defend Greenland, and that no U.S. adversary can establish a military presence or make sensitive investments without American approval. Danish and Greenlandic officials expressed cautious optimism, hoping the deal would resolve prior friction and strengthen shared security in the Arctic and North Atlantic. They emphasized that the agreement recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland's right to self-determination.

The purported deal has been welcomed by NATO, with the Chair of NATO's Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, stating it was "very, very welcome" and would contribute to security, stability, and cooperation in the vital region. The United States and Denmark already have a long-standing security agreement concerning Greenland dating back to 1951, and this new arrangement is presented as an evolution to address contemporary security concerns, particularly regarding non-NATO countries in the Arctic.