From FactCheck.org · D'Angelo Gore · · 3m
Trump's Greenland deal: what it actually does
The U.S. defense agreement with Greenland and Denmark expands military access but falls short of Trump's claims of ownership.
In brief
The U.S. defense agreement with Greenland and Denmark expands military access but falls short of Trump's claims of ownership. A new U.S. defense agreement with Greenland and Denmark expands American military presence but does not give the U.S. ownership, contrary to President Trump's recent claims. Originally reported…
Trump wants Greenland ownership
In January at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, President Donald Trump said the U.S. needs ownership of Greenland, an Arctic island with about fifty-seven thousand people, to defend it.
“And all we're asking for is to get Greenland, including right, title, and ownership, because you need the ownership to defend it.”
Trump rules out force, then doesn't
Trump initially would not rule out taking Greenland by force but then said in his Davos speech he would not use force.
“I won't use force.”
What the agreement actually does
The new trilateral agreement allows the U.S. to indefinitely expand its military presence in Greenland and prevents U.S. adversaries from doing the same, but does not give the U.S. ownership.
Greenland approves, Denmark to vote
Greenlandic lawmakers formally approved the agreement on November third. It will take effect if Danish lawmakers approve it after debate later that month.
Trump claims victory in interviews
In a Fox News interview on November third, Trump said we got Greenland and it is permanent and forever. In another interview that day he said Europe gave the U.S. Greenland as the greatest gift.
“I got Greenland. We have Greenland, and nobody talks about it.”
More ownership claims from Trump
On November second in Washington D.C., Trump said we also have Greenland now on an unlimited basis. At an October twenty-fifth rally in Michigan he said we own Greenland.
White House claims permanent control
After publication, a White House spokesperson said the deal secures permanent American security control over Greenland and ensures it will forever be part of the strategic defense area of North America.
Agreement signed September twenty-second
Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen signed the agreement on September twenty-second. It amends a nineteen fifty-one defense pact updated in two thousand four.
Pituffik base can expand operations
Under the new deal, activities at the U.S. base in Greenland, renamed Pituffik Space Base in twenty twenty-three, can be modernized and expanded. The base conducts space surveillance and provides missile warning and defense.
New defense areas and restrictions
The agreement allows the U.S. to establish additional defense areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig and may establish more if agreed upon. Non-NATO nations cannot establish military installations in Greenland without all signatories agreeing.
Greenland keeps self-determination rights
The agreement reiterates that Greenland remains part of Denmark with the right to self-determination under a two thousand nine self-government law. If Greenland becomes independent, the treaty remains binding and Greenland stays in NATO.
Experts call it marginal improvement
International relations experts say the deal grants little more than already existed. Otto Svendsen at the Center for Strategic and International Studies called it only a marginal improvement over the previous defense agreement.
“Existing agreements already allowed the United States to expand its presence in Greenland, and Copenhagen had long kept U.S. adversaries from investing in Greenland.”
At a glance
A new U.S. defense agreement with Greenland and Denmark expands American military presence but does not give the U.S. ownership, contrary to President Trump's recent claims.
