US, Denmark, and Greenland sign Arctic defense agreement

On September 22, 2026, the United States, Denmark, and Greenland are scheduled to sign a strategic defense agreement at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The deal, which aims to strengthen security in the Arctic, facilitates an expanded US military presence on the island. Reports indicate plans to potentially re-establish Cold War-era bases at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, though the final text remains unpublished. President Donald Trump described the open-ended accord as providing the United States with "permanent control" over Greenland's security, specifically prohibiting US adversaries like China and Russia from establishing bases or making sensitive investments without American approval.

While the United States emphasizes strategic control, Danish and Greenlandic officials highlight that the agreement respects their sovereignty and territorial integrity. Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen stated the new framework places Arctic security under the broader oversight of NATO, rather than solely under Washington and Copenhagen. This agreement follows months of diplomatic tension regarding the island’s future. The signing ceremony involves US President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, marking a significant evolution in North Atlantic defense cooperation.