Greenland's government and residents have welcomed a new defence agreement with the U.S. and Denmark that allows Washington to expand its military presence on the Arctic island, although concerns over U.S. intentions remain.
The agreement builds on a 1951 defence pact between Denmark and the U.S., allowing the U.S. to establish new military sites at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig. It also reaffirms Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland and the territory's right to self-determination.
The agreement allows the U.S. to modernise and expand operations at its existing Pituffik Space Base while establishing new military sites at Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland and Mestersvig on the east coast.
The pact does not specify troop numbers or a timetable for the expansion. Details of the new facilities must also be agreed by Greenland, Denmark and the U.S., meaning Washington does not have unrestricted control over the sites.
Narsarsuaq was used as a U.S. military base during the Second World War and has a large runway with access to deep water. Mestersvig is a remote outpost currently used by the Danish Sirius Dog Sled Patrol.
The agreement also bars countries outside NATO from establishing manned or unmanned military installations or maintaining a persistent military presence in Greenland.
Greenlandic lawmaker Naaja Nathanielsen said she was relieved by the agreement but acknowledged that tensions in recent years had fuelled scepticism towards Washington.
“There has previously been a significant American presence in Greenland, so this is nothing new,” Nathanielsen told the press.
“However, in light of the unrest over the past few years, there is likely greater scepticism in Greenland.”
Some residents said a larger U.S. presence could strengthen security, while others voiced concerns about its impact on local communities.
Malene Vahl Rasmussen, mayor of Kujalleq municipality, where Narsarsuaq is located, said any U.S. military expansion must respect Greenlandic traditions and protect hunting and fishing.
“You can't simply say, 'Okay, we've signed this, so now we trust you again'. Trust really needs to be rebuilt within that partnership,” she told Reuters.
The agreement follows months of tension after U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly said he wanted the U.S. to acquire Greenland, citing national security concerns, the island's strategic Arctic location and its mineral resources.
At the signing ceremony on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Trump said the U.S. would immediately begin developing a larger military presence at suitable locations.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the agreement as beneficial for the U.S., Denmark, Greenland, Europe and NATO. Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen called it a “win-win-win”.
Crucially, the pact does not transfer Greenlandic territory to the U.S. It explicitly recognises Denmark's sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as Greenland's right to self-determination.
The agreement also provides for its continuation if Greenland becomes independent from Denmark, provided Greenland remains a NATO member.
The agreement must now be approved by the Danish and Greenlandic parliaments.
The 1951 defence agreement already allowed the U.S. to deploy troops in Greenland, where Washington currently maintains its military presence at Pituffik Space Base.
Trump has previously linked Greenland to his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence system. The new agreement mentions the project but contains no concrete proposal for its development in Greenland.
NATO welcomed the agreement, saying it would help advance security, stability and cooperation in the Arctic and North Atlantic.
For Greenland, the pact represents a shift from the tensions generated by Trump's earlier calls to acquire the island, creating a framework for a larger U.S. military presence while maintaining Danish sovereignty and Greenlandic oversight.
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