Trump claims deal with Denmark gives US ‘permanent control’ over Greenland

xwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoA sign reading "Greenland is not for sale!" is seen in Nuuk, Greenland, on January 20, 2026 [Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix /AFP]Published On 18 Sep 202618 Sep 2026United States President Donald Trump claimed on Friday that Washington has entered into an agreement with Denmark and Greenland that gives the United States “permanent control over security and all other needs”.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said, “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”.

He added that US adversaries will be barred from establishing military bases or personnel in Greenland unless they receive written authorisation from the United States.

Trump alleged that plans will begin immediately to build a significant US military footprint in suitable areas across Greenland, noting there are numerous potential locations.

Denmark and Greenland released a joint statement on Friday indicating that a pact with the US is set to be signed during next week’s United Nations General Assembly session.

The statement added that the agreement remains subject to parliamentary approval in both Nuuk and Copenhagen.

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the agreement “recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom and the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination”.