Trump gets Arctic bases, not Greenland

The US, Denmark and Greenland signed a defence deal allowing America to build two new military bases in the Arctic territory while Denmark keeps full sovereignty.

“we will immediately begin the process of developing a large military presence in the appropriate locations”

Two new bases in Greenland's south and east

The US will establish bases at Narsarsuaq, a former World War Two airport with deep-water access and a large runway, and Mestersvig, a remote outpost currently used by Danish naval forces.

Greenland and Denmark retain approval power

The deal requires all three parties to mutually agree on the bases' technical details and operations, meaning the US cannot act unilaterally.

NATO members only in Greenland

The agreement explicitly bars non-NATO countries from establishing military installations or maintaining forces in Greenland, a direct response to concerns about Russian and Chinese presence.

Greenland stays in NATO if independent

The deal confirms that if Greenland gains independence from Denmark, it will remain a NATO member, protecting its security and the alliance's Arctic presence.

From takeover threats to diplomacy

Trump spent months threatening to buy or annex Greenland, prompting outcry from European leaders. The deal represents a significant retreat from those demands while still expanding US military presence.

Updates 75-year-old defence pact

The new agreement replaces the 1951 defence treaty between Denmark and the US, also allowing modernisation and expansion of the existing Pituffik Space Base in Greenland's north-west.

“Seventy-five years ago we entered into an agreement about the defence of Greenland. Today, we're signing an even bigger and better agreement”

Parliaments must still approve the deal

Both Denmark and Greenland's parliaments must ratify the agreement before it takes effect, though Danish political parties have already signalled support.