President Trump announced Friday, September 19, 2026, that the United States has reached a deal with Denmark to expand the U.S. military presence in Greenland, ending months of public threats to take the Arctic island by force. Under the emerging agreement, Greenland stays under Danish and Greenlandic sovereignty rather than becoming U.S. territory, as Trump had previously demanded.
- What was announced: A deal to expand the U.S. military presence on Greenland
- Sovereignty: Greenland remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark; not annexed by the U.S.
- Trump’s framing: Said the deal gives the U.S. “permanent control over security” in Greenland at no cost to Washington
- Denmark and Greenland’s framing: Both governments say the deal respects their sovereignty and right to self-determination
- Next step: Expected to be signed by all three governments next week at the United Nations General Assembly
- Still needed: Parliamentary approval from Denmark and Greenland
What Trump announced
Trump posted on Truth Social that the agreement “completely addresses ALL of our many U.S. concerns” about Greenland and that his administration would “immediately” begin developing a larger military presence on the island. He said the arrangement would come at no cost to the United States.
The announcement follows more than a year of pressure from Trump, who said after returning to office that Greenland was essential to U.S. security and repeatedly declined to rule out using military or economic force to acquire it. Those threats drew a formal rebuke from the European Union earlier this year, and Greenland’s government has consistently said the island is “not for sale.”
How Denmark and Greenland describe the deal
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s office said the agreement “recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Denmark and Greenland and upholds the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination, adding that it strengthens shared security in the Arctic for NATO and Europe. Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said the deal benefits all three governments and reflects Greenland’s interests in international cooperation.
The U.S. has maintained a military presence in Greenland for decades under a Cold War-era defense agreement with Denmark; this new deal would expand that footprint rather than establish it for the first time.
Why now
The Greenland issue had largely receded from headlines in recent months as the administration focused on other foreign policy priorities, including a military operation that removed former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power and U.S. involvement alongside Israel in a war against Iran. The Greenland deal gives Trump a foreign policy announcement to point to heading into the midterm elections, at a time when the ongoing Iran conflict has become a bigger factor in House and Senate races than his campaign originally anticipated.
What happens next
Officials from the U.S., Denmark and Greenland negotiated the deal privately for months before Friday’s announcement. The three governments expect to formally sign it next week during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, though it still requires approval from the Danish and Greenlandic parliaments before taking effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the U.S. annex Greenland?
No. The deal expands the U.S. military presence on the island but leaves Greenland under Danish and Greenlandic sovereignty, according to both Trump’s announcement and statements from Denmark and Greenland’s governments.
What did Trump say about the deal?
Trump said the agreement gives the U.S. “permanent control over security” in Greenland at no cost to Washington, and that the U.S. would immediately begin building up its military footprint there.
When will the Greenland deal be signed?
The U.S., Denmark and Greenland expect to sign it next week during the United Nations General Assembly, though it still needs approval from Denmark’s and Greenland’s parliaments.
Did the U.S. already have a military presence in Greenland?
Yes. The U.S. has maintained a military presence there for decades under a Cold War-era defense agreement with Denmark; the new deal expands that presence rather than starting it from scratch.