The Trump Administration says it has secured permanent U.S. military rights in Greenland, without buying the island.
Under the agreement described by U.S. officials, American forces would have permanent access, basing and overflight rights and could build additional military installations when needed.
The arrangement would also block Russia, China, and other countries outside the North Atlantic Treaty Organization from establishing bases or stationing troops there.
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Sensitive investments that could threaten U.S. national security would also face restrictions.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the agreement a permanent answer to Washington’s Arctic security concerns.
“This historic deal is a huge win for the United States and the American people,” Rubio told Fox News Digital.
The agreement does not transfer sovereignty over Greenland to the United States.
Greenland remains a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
The Trump administration says the U.S. has secured permanent access, basing and overflight rights in Greenland — a major strategic foothold in the Arctic.
The deal would bar Russia, China and other non-NATO countries from establishing a military presence there — locking out Washington’s two primary global rivals from a critical strategic location.
Greenland would remain under Danish sovereignty — the agreement does not transfer ownership to the United States — a key distinction from Trump’s earlier talk of purchasing the island.
Reuters reported Friday that negotiations were still being finalized — meaning the deal is not yet done despite the administration’s confident framing.
The pact also has no expiration date, according to the U.S. official, and is intended to survive even if Greenland eventually becomes independent.
The United States already has deep military roots on the island.
A 1951 defense agreement with Denmark gave Washington broad rights to operate in Greenland. The U.S. still runs Pituffik Space Base, a key missile-warning and Arctic surveillance post.
The new arrangement, as described by the administration, would lock in broader access while giving Washington more power to keep rival militaries and sensitive foreign investments out.
Rubio said the rights come at “zero cost to the U.S. taxpayer.”
Reuters reported Friday that the United States and Denmark were still closing in on a potential Greenland agreement and that a final announcement could come in the coming days or weeks.
The Danish and Greenlandic governments also had not publicly confirmed the full agreement when initial reports emerged.
This story is developing…
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 18, 2026
