USA20 September, 20263 min read
Trump Signs Greenland Defense Pact With Denmark, Authorizing Two New U.S. Bases
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United States to establish two new military bases in Greenland under tripartite defense pact. Pact signed on margins of UN General Assembly with Denmark and Greenland leaders.
Greenland Defense Pact Signed
Donald Trump signed an agreement with Denmark and Greenland on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday (09/22/2026), after threats from the U.S. president to even invade the Arctic island. Trump said, "This is something extraordinary for Europe and for the United States, for the entire world and for Greenland," and he added, "It is going to be incredible." The agreement grants the United States a permanent military presence on the island and would block access by Russia and China, while respecting Denmark’s sovereignty and Greenland’s right to self-determination, according to the text.
The agreement authorizes the United States to establish an additional defense zone in Narsarsuaq (south) and in Mestersvig (east), and it also allows Washington to modernize and expand its only active base, Pituffik, located in the north of the island. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen attended the signing ceremony with Trump.
Two Bases, NATO Limits
The agreement allows Washington to "modernize and expand" its activities at Pituffik and it says the U.S. can set up "defense areas" at Narsarsuaq in the south and Mestersvig in the east, while it also says it "may establish additional defense areas in Greenland". The agreement also says the U.S. can set up wide military mobility on Greenland’s territory, including "undersea access," and it prohibits any non-NATO country from establishing "its own manned or unmanned military installations in Greenland." El Español said the agreement indefinitely grants Washington a broad military presence and aims to safeguard the Arctic island from increasing activities by "adversaries," while it also said the document makes clear that "no state that is not a NATO member shall establish its own military facilities" in Greenland.
El Español said the agreement has no expiration date and can only be modified by mutual consent, thereby guaranteeing Washington’s indefinite presence in Greenland even if the island becomes independent. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte celebrated the accord’s signing on X, writing that "this agreement, along with NATO’s growing role in securing this vital" region strengthens collective security.
Red Lines and Future Stakes
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the agreement respects Denmark’s sovereignty and Greenland’s right to self-determination, and she called it a "legally binding" document. Frederiksen said, "In the agreement it is very clear in the preamble that there is absolute respect for the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark, the territorial integrity of Greenland, and its right to self-determination," and she added that she was "pleased to see an American president who is happy with this agreement." Greenland’s regional president Jens Frederik Nielsen said, "Your security is our security," and he called the deal "a win-win-win agreement."
El Español said the agreement commits Washington to safeguard the Arctic island from increasing activities by "adversaries" and it also said the pact requires Denmark and Greenland to review requests to establish military facilities without permanently stationed personnel outside those defense zones. El Español said the agreement is designed to endure even if Greenland seeks and wins independence, while it also stipulates that the island must remain a member of NATO and take on Denmark’s rights and obligations under the deal.