President Donald Trump joined leaders of Denmark and Greenland to sign an unprecedented agreement giving the United States lasting control over security interests in Greenland. The landmark agreement — which comes at no cost to American taxpayers — forever guarantees America the ability to defend the continent, includes permanent basing rights, and bars any U.S. adversary from establishing a base, military presence, or sensitive investment without America’s approval.
President Trump said the agreement regarding the Northern Frontier of North America signed on September 22, secures “the large and strategically vital piece of land known as Greenland. This agreement … gives the United States permanent control over security and all other needs on that territory. We will have the complete ability to do what is necessary to defend the American continent.”
The Agreement notes the rights and obligations deriving from the 1949 North Atlantic Treaty and considers that Greenland through the Kingdom of Denmark has been a part of NATO since then. It recalls “the long history of cooperation between the Parties based on their deep respect for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, as well as the more than eighty years of close defense cooperation between them, which has contributed to strengthening the security and stability of the United States, Greenland, and the rest of the North Atlantic Treaty area.”
It reaffirms “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark,” and recognizes “that the People of Greenland constitute a people pursuant to international law with the right to self-determination.”
The Agreement further recognizes “the United States’ indispensable historical and ongoing contributions to the security and defense of Greenland and the rest of the North Atlantic Treaty area, including significant sacrifices and billions of dollars spent over the better part of a century, dating back to before World War II and the establishment of NATO, and the irreplaceable role the United States military plays in the defense of the territory of Greenland now and in the future.”
It acknowledges “the reopening of the U.S. Consulate in Nuuk and the U.S. contributions to mutual scientific and educational cooperation and exchanges, minerals cooperation, cooperation on economic development and business promotion, and cultural and local partnerships together with Greenland.”
“Greenland will forever be part of the strategic defense area of North America and exclude any adversary from it and the surrounding area, said Secretary of Stater Maroc Rubio. “This deal permanently and completely addresses our national security concerns in Greenland.”