Trump says US has reached an agreement to take permanent control of Greenland’s security

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President Donald Trump has announced an agreement with Greenland, in which the U.S. will take permanent control of the Arctic island’s security.

“I am pleased to announce that the United States of America has entered into an Agreement with The Kingdom of Denmark, and Greenland, that gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many U.S. concerns,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Friday evening.

The president has eyed Greenland since before he returned to the White House in January 2025, arguing that the U.S. needed to control the semi-autonomous Danish territory for national security purposes.

Trump said that the agreement means the U.S. “will FOREVER have the complete ability to do what is necessary in Greenland in order to secure and defend the security of Greenland, and the United States of America.”

President Donald Trump has announced an agreement with Greenland, in which the U.S. will take permanent control of the Arctic island’s security (Getty Images)

It’s unclear what exactly is in the agreement Trump claims to have struck with Denmark and Greenland, but he did highlight one major point — that U.S. adversaries such as Russia and China will need his approval to work with Greenland militarily and economically.

“From now on, no U.S. adversary can EVER have a base in Greenland, have a military presence in Greenland, or make sensitive investments in Greenland, without our express written approval,” Trump said.

The president had warned Russia and China would take Greenland if he didn’t step in.

“It’s so strategic. Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place,” Trump claimed during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One in January. “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security — and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.”

The president has eyed Greenland since before he returned to the White House in January 2025, arguing that the U.S. needed to control the semi-autonomous Danish territory for national security purposes (Getty Images)

Trump boasted about his role in the new agreement with Greenland that he said would be “cherished by the American People.”

“For over 100 years, Presidents have known the strategic importance of Greenland, but NONE of them were able to do anything about it. I am proud to be the President that permanently and conclusively addressed this very important situation,” he wrote on Truth Social.

“We will immediately begin the process of developing a large Military presence in the appropriate part of Greenland, of which there are many. We will work with the people of Greenland in its development and construction,” he added.

Since Trump began pushing to acquire Greenland, he has been met with opposition, not just from the people of the Arctic island and Denmark, but also from America’s European allies.

“Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland,” a joint statement from seven European leaders read.

As part of the agreement, Trump said U.S. adversaries such as Russia and China will need his approval to work with Greenland militarily and economically (AFP via Getty Images)

In the January 6 statement, leaders from France, Germany, the United Kingdom and other U.S. allies, said, “We and many other Allies have increased our presence, activities and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries.”

They said that since Denmark is a part of NATO, “security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively…by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.”

Days later, Trump threatened to impose a 10 percent tariff on imports from European allies, several of which were part of the earlier joint statement, “until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.”

Trump quickly backed down from his tariff threats, claiming to have “formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland” with NATO chief Mark Rutte.

This is a developing story…