Greenland signs new defence pact with US, but trust remains fragile
Greenland, Denmark and the US signed a new Arctic security agreement on September 22, expanding US military access even as local distrust lingers.
Greenland, Denmark and the United States signed a new military agreement on Arctic security on September 22, 2026. The deal gives the US greater scope to expand its military presence in Greenland and emphasises strengthening security cooperation in the Arctic and North Atlantic region.
Greenland's prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen welcomed the agreement, saying it recognised Greenland's right to self-determination. However, distrust among local people, stemming from earlier statements by the US about taking over Greenland, has not fully gone away.
Under the new agreement, the US will be able to expand its existing military facilities and security zones in Greenland. Old military bases at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig are likely to be brought back into use. The agreement will also strengthen US security capability in the Arctic, including at Pituffik Space Base. It also makes clear that Greenland remains under Danish sovereignty and that the self-determination rights of Greenland's citizens will continue.
Local reactions suggest that concern generated by earlier talk of a US takeover of Greenland has eased somewhat since the agreement. Greenland parliament member Naaja Nathanielsen expressed relief over the agreement.
However, she also said that events of the past few years have increased suspicion of the US, and efforts will be needed to win back the trust of local people. Greenland's population is about 57,000, and reactions to the US military presence vary locally.
The agreement is likely to give new direction to security cooperation between the US, Greenland and Denmark in the Arctic. Growing strategic activity by Russia and China has raised the Arctic's geopolitical importance. The agreement emphasises strengthening cooperation within the NATO framework.
However, the agreement needs to complete the parliamentary process of the countries concerned before it takes effect. That is, while it has been signed, implementing it will follow only after further process.
