The United States and Denmark have reached an agreement on Greenland following months of security-related threats by US President Donald Trump to “take” the semi-autonomous territory.
Trump announced on Truth Social that the deal came at “no cost to the United States” and would allow Washington “to do what is necessary” to “secure and defend the security of Greenland”. However, the official text of the agreement has not been released, reports BBC.
According to Trump, the agreement includes a provision preventing US adversaries from maintaining a military presence or making “sensitive investments” in Greenland without Washington’s “express written approval”.
For months, Trump had pushed to purchase or annex Greenland, citing its strategic location for defence and its mineral wealth. He also argued that the territory was vulnerable to adversaries such as Russia and China. His demands triggered protests from Greenlanders, Danes and fellow NATO members.
A NATO spokesperson welcomed the announcement, saying the alliance believed the deal would “help advance security, stability and cooperation in this vital region”.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she was “pleased that there is a prospect of a good agreement” for all three parties. The agreement is expected to be formally signed at the UN General Assembly next week.
In a joint statement with Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Frederiksen said the deal “strengthens our common security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic area”. She added that it recognised “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom and the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination”.
The statement said the agreement would require “the necessary parliamentary procedures to enter into force” after it is signed.
Nielsen described the agreement as “gratifying”, saying it “ensures and strengthens the security of Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark, the United States and the Western alliance”.
“The agreement recognises Greenland’s interests and our place in international co-operation. It is for the benefit of us all,” he said.
French President Emmanuel Macron also welcomed the development, saying the deal helped “to reaffirm Danish sovereignty” over Greenland.
Speaking to AFP, Macron said: “I simply note that Danish sovereignty is respected, that international law is respected, and that this is what we were asking for. So it’s a good thing.”
Denmark and Greenland had maintained territorial integrity as a red line, and no territory has changed hands. As a result, some Danish media outlets described the agreement as a quiet but significant diplomatic triumph.
Berlingske published the headline, “Don’t tell Trump that it’s the Kingdom of Denmark that has won”. Meanwhile, a US correspondent for Politiken wrote: “Trump didn’t get Greenland, but he was allowed to take a victory lap on social media.”
However, the agreement’s specific concessions or incentives, if any, remain unclear, fuelling continued concern in Greenland.
MP Naaja Nathanielsen wrote on social media that although the development was “news we have all been hoping for”, it was “absolutely crucial that any agreement preserves our right to self-determination”.
Former Greenlandic politician Aaja Chemnitz also expressed caution, saying she remained “sceptical” until the agreement was finalised.
“I don’t have much confidence in Trump,” she added.
An unnamed US State Department official outlined the agreement but did not provide details. Official responses from the Danish Embassy in the US and the White House are still awaited.
