Trump Claims Permanent U.S. Security Control Over Greenland in New Deal

Trump says the United States has reached an agreement with Denmark and Greenland granting permanent security control at no cost, though the terms remain unverified.

First Published: September 18, 2026, 5:25 PM ET

WASHINGTON D.C. — Donald J. Trump said the United States has reached an agreement with Denmark and Greenland granting Washington permanent control over security on the Arctic island.

Trump said the deal carries “NO COST” and bars any U.S. adversary from establishing a base, keeping a military presence, or making sensitive investments in Greenland without American written approval. He described the arrangement as an “Infinite Life” agreement with no expiration. He promised a large military buildup in what he called the appropriate part of the territory.

Here is the full post on truthsocial: “BREAKING NEWS: 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. There will be NO COST to the United States! At my direction, we worked with representatives of Denmark and Greenland to guarantee that the United States 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. Additionally, 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. 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. This is an “Infinite Life” Agreement, there is no end! We are very honored and proud of what has just taken place, and everything agreed to today will be cherished by the American People. 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. This solution is a great one for the United States of America, Denmark, Greenland, and all of our Allies. We look forward to working with the wonderful people of Denmark and Greenland toward a magnificent future with respect to this large, and highly strategic, parcel of land. We will be very protective of it! This is a dream come true for the United States of America, one that is very important, historic, and special. Thank you for your attention to this matter! Trump” on September 18, 2026 at 5:18 PM ET.

This is Trump’s 24th message released today, and the last post was 30 minutes ago, and it is not part of a thread. On average, Trump produces 18 posts per day since his inauguration on January 20, 2025. The move fits a broader pattern in Trump’s recent messaging, with 68 of his 585 posts over the last 30 days classified as foreign policy posts.

Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly rejected any surrender of control over the island. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said after a January meeting that a working group would be established to discuss a broad range of issues. He also said the American position had not changed and that Trump wished to conquer Greenland, according to pbs.

President Donald J. Trump announced an agreement granting the U.S.

Washington and Copenhagen already share a defense framework for the island. The 1951 Defense of Greenland Agreement gives the United States extensive military basing rights while preserving the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark, according to avalon.law.yale.edu. That agreement served U.S. interests throughout the Cold War and remains in force, according to atlanticcouncil.

Greenland’s strategic weight rests on geography and minerals. The island sits within the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom gap, a sea corridor for submarines and naval warships, and holds rare earth elements such as lithium and titanium critical for phones and computer chips, according to dornsife.usc.edu. As Arctic ice melts, the region grows more open to Chinese and Russian ships, according to dornsife.usc.edu.

The United States already stations more than 100 military personnel at the Pituffik facility in Greenland’s northwestern tip, a base that has existed since World War II, according to bbc. Greenland’s population is roughly 58,000, about a third of it concentrated in the capital, Nuuk, according to bbc. The territory has no military of its own, and Denmark is responsible for its defense, according to bbc.

Trump’s claim of a finalized permanent arrangement could not be independently confirmed against Danish or Greenlandic statements in the available record. Neither Copenhagen nor Nuuk has published a matching announcement in the reviewed sources, leaving the terms Trump described unverified.