“I look forward to working with the wonderful people of Denmark and Greenland. It's been a great experience, amazing experience, and we've really formed a bond.
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Eight Months After Threatening to Take It by Force, Trump Announces a Deal With Denmark That He Says Gives the U.S. "Permanent Control Over Security, and All Other Needs, in Greenland" — Rubio Says It "Permanently and Completely Addresses Our National Security Concerns," While Greenland Stays Danish
September 18, 2026
On the evening of Friday, September 18, 2026, President Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States "has entered into an Agreement with The Kingdom of Denmark, and Greenland, that gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many U.S. concerns." He said the U.S. would "immediately begin the process of developing a large Military presence in the appropriate part of Greenland," at no cost to the United States. According to a State Department official, the agreement bars any non-NATO base or troop presence in Greenland, bars adversaries from making investments on the island that could threaten the United States, and remains in force "forever" — even if Greenland becomes fully independent. Greenland remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark, a significant retreat from Trump's January demand for U.S. ownership, when he said "We probably won't get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force." Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called it "an agreement that strengthens our common security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic area," and Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said it respected "the Kingdom's red lines." The deal still requires parliamentary action in Denmark and Greenland, and the official text had not been released as of September 19. For the January confrontation that preceded the deal, see the earlier story on Trump's claimed NATO deal for Greenland control.
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“[A historic deal and] a huge win for the United States and the American people. … Thanks to President Trump's vision and leadership, this historic agreement permanently guarantees U.S. security interests in the Arctic at zero cost to the U.S. taxpayer.
“After months of threatening our NATO Ally Denmark and disregarding the will of the Greenlandic people, President Trump has reached a 'deal' that essentially returns the U.S.-Greenland defense relationship to where it was before. But President Trump's threats and bullying rhetoric on this issue have come at a cost: the United States is now viewed with skepticism and increased distrust by some of our closest allies. That has damaged America's trade relationships and undermined the NATO Alliance—the bedrock of safeguarding U.S. national security interests. Diplomacy should have been the first option. I'm glad we can put this dispute behind us, but the United States now has real work to do to rebuild trust with Denmark, Greenland and our allies across Europe.
“The security agreement signed today will strengthen the United States' military and strategic position in the Arctic while preventing China and Russia from gaining footholds in the region.
“I am pleased to announce that the United States of America has entered into an Agreement with The Kingdom of Denmark, and Greenland, that gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many U.S. concerns.
“At my direction, we worked with representatives of Denmark and Greenland to guarantee that the US will FOREVER have the complete ability to do what is necessary in Greenland. … We will immediately begin the process of developing a large Military presence in the appropriate part of Greenland, of which there are many.
“Greenland will forever be part of the strategic defense area of North America and exclude any adversary from it and the surrounding area. This deal permanently and completely addresses our national security concerns in Greenland.
“They said it couldn't be done, but President Trump just proved the foreign policy establishment wrong again. This historic agreement with Denmark and Greenland ensures the United States and our allies will be able to secure Greenland and the High North against our adversaries for generations to come.