Trump and the leaders of Denmark and Greenland signed a deal Tuesday allowing expanded U.S. military activity on the island. It reaffirms Denmark’s territorial integrity and Greenlanders’ right to self-determination, but needs parliamentary approval to take effect.
The agreement would allow Washington to modernize and expand operations at Pituffik Space Base and establish defense areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, with the option of adding more. It provides for broad U.S. military mobility, including undersea access, and backs stronger NATO planning, presence, exercises and intelligence-gathering in the Arctic. Non-NATO states would be barred from military installations or a persistent military presence in Greenland.
The deal has no end date. If Greenland chooses independence, the accord says it would agree to remain in NATO and assume Denmark’s rights and obligations under the agreement. The signatories also recognize the need to protect Greenland’s environment and residents’ economic, social and cultural rights, including their lands and traditional activities such as hunting and fishing.
