US President Donald Trump signed a significant defence deal with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen that allows the United States to establish two new military bases in Greenland. This agreement, signed during a ceremony at the UN General Assembly in New York, reaffirms Copenhagen's sovereignty over the territory while enhancing US military presence in the Arctic.

Key Details of the Agreement

  • The deal updates a 1951 defence agreement between Denmark and the US.
  • It permits the US to establish military bases at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig in Greenland.
  • Narsarsuaq features deep-water access and a large runway, while Mestersvig is a remote outpost used by a Danish naval dog sled unit.
  • The agreement stipulates that no non-NATO state can establish military installations or maintain a persistent military presence in Greenland.

During the signing, Trump stated, "We will immediately begin the process of developing a large military presence in the appropriate locations." He emphasized the importance of the deal for both Europe and the United States, claiming it would be beneficial for Greenland as well.