The U.S., Denmark and Greenland are set to sign a new security agreement Tuesday that would significantly expand the American military presence on the Arctic island, including two additional U.S. military bases. The agreement follows months of negotiations after President Donald Trump pushed to acquire Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederick Nielsen are set to meet Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York to sign the agreement.
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The new security agreement
The full agreement has not been released, but U.S. officials and people familiar with the negotiations have provided details to Fox News and Reuters.
Under the agreement, the U.S. plans to re-establish a Cold War-era military base in southern Greenland and add another military site on the island’s east coast. The first is in Narsarsuaq, where the U.S. operated a base during the Cold War. The second is in Mestersvig, an existing military outpost used by Denmark’s Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, a special forces unit.
Officials say the agreement gives Washington permanent military access, basing and overflight rights, expanding on a defense relationship with Greenland that dates to 1951. U.S. officials say the agreement allows Washington to establish additional military installations as needed. Denmark has stressed that the agreement does not change its sovereignty over Greenland.
When he announced the agreement, Trump said U.S. adversaries would be barred from establishing a base or military presence in Greenland or making “sensitive investments” there “without our express written approval.”
Trump’s efforts to acquire Greenland
The agreement stops short of what Trump sought: acquiring Greenland.
Earlier this year, Trump repeatedly pushed for the U.S. to acquireGreenland, saying he intended to “have” the island and that European countries could not adequately protect it.
He threatened tariffs on eight European countries if they refused to agree to talks over selling Greenland. The threat prompted European leaders meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos to hold emergency talks over Greenland.
Denmark increased its military presence in Greenland during the dispute, while Danish and Greenlandic officials continued negotiations with the Trump administration.
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