Trump to Sign Greenland Security Accord with Danish and Greenlandic Leaders at UN

President Donald Trump is scheduled to sign a comprehensive security agreement with the leaders of Denmark and Greenland during a ceremony in New York on Tuesday, a White House official confirmed to ABC News. The event will take place as Trump attends the annual United Nations General Assembly.

According to a White House statement, the pact aims to “secure and defend the security of Greenland and the United States.” The agreement follows Trump’s announcement last Friday on his social media platform, where he stated that the deal provides the U.S. with “permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland,” asserting it addresses all American concerns regarding the territory.

While the agreement falls short of the absolute sovereignty Trump previously demanded, it significantly expands U.S. military capabilities in the region. A State Department official noted that the deal guarantees the United States the “complete ability to do what it deems is necessary in Greenland” to protect the American continent. Trump emphasized that this right is permanent, stating the U.S. will “FOREVER” possess the ability to act as required for security.

The development marks a shift after months of diplomatic strain caused by Trump’s rhetoric, which included threats of military takeover citing national security reasons. These comments previously caused tension with European allies and concern among Greenlanders. Under the new terms, only the U.S. and its allies will be permitted to make sensitive investments in Greenland, closing loopholes that previously allowed adversarial nations to invest in key sectors without screening.

Officials clarified that neither China nor Russia currently hold significant active investments or military presences in Greenland, and past attempts to enter sensitive areas were blocked. A key feature of the agreement is its durability: the security arrangement will remain in effect even if Greenland achieves full independence from Denmark.

In response to the announcement, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a joint statement confirming expectations to sign the accord the following week. They described the deal as strengthening security in the Arctic and North Atlantic, though they noted it must pass through “necessary parliamentary procedures” to become law.

Frederiksen expressed satisfaction with the prospect of an agreement that bolsters common security for NATO and Europe while respecting the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark and the self-determination rights of the Greenlandic people. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen echoed these sentiments on Instagram, describing the upcoming week as positive for all parties involved and highlighting the need to address a changing security landscape in the Arctic.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio hailed the deal as a “historic” achievement and a major win for the United States. He credited Trump’s leadership for permanently securing U.S. interests in the Arctic at no cost to taxpayers, ensuring Greenland remains part of North America’s strategic defense perimeter.

The agreement is expected to complement or amend the existing 1951 pact, which governs U.S. defense of the territory but explicitly acknowledges Danish sovereignty. By directly including Greenland, the U.S. aims to ensure military guarantees persist regardless of future political changes in Copenhagen.

Greenland’s strategic value to the U.S. is underscored by its rich mineral resources, vast oil and gas reserves, and the Pituffik Space Base. Located at the Defense Department’s northernmost installation, the base houses approximately 150 troops and serves as a critical early-warning system against missile attacks over the Arctic. Trump has identified the island as essential to his “Golden Dome” anti-missile initiative, arguing that the current U.S. presence is inadequate to deter potential aggression from Russia or China.