Why does the Greenland security deal restrict non-NATO and non-EU countries?

The agreement is aimed at blocking U.S. adversaries such as China and Russia from gaining a foothold in the Arctic. It says investors or states outside NATO, NATO partners or the EU cannot control or significantly influence particularly sensitive sectors in Greenland unless the parties agree there is no security threat.

What does the Greenland agreement say about sovereignty and independence?

The deal reaffirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and recognizes Greenland’s right to self-determination. It also says Greenland must keep following the agreement even if it becomes independent from Denmark.

US to build 2 military bases in southern and eastern Greenland

Q: Where will the new US military bases in Greenland be built?

The agreement allows the United States to establish new bases in Narsarsuaq in the south of the island and Mestersvig in the east. It adds to the Pituffik base the U.S. already operates in the north.

Listen

Summary

The United States, Greenland and Denmark signed a security agreement on Tuesday in New York that will let Washington build two military bases in southern and eastern Greenland. The deal also reaffirms Denmark’s sovereignty and Greenland’s right to self-determination, while giving the U.S. control over security in the autonomous Arctic territory. It bars non-NATO and non-EU countries from strategic sectors in Greenland and requires Greenland to stay in or join NATO if needed. The agreement comes as Trump has pushed for U.S. control of Greenland for strategic reasons.

Key Facts

The new U.S. bases will be located in Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland and Mestersvig in eastern Greenland.
The U.S. already operates the Pituffik base in northern Greenland.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
It says states or investors from countries outside NATO, NATO partners and the EU cannot have control, significant influence or access to non-public information in particularly sensitive Greenland sectors unless the parties agree it poses no security threat.
Greenland, which has 57,000 inhabitants, must continue to abide by the agreement even if it gains independence from Denmark.

By AFP

Published Sep 23, 2026 2:11 am KST

Satellite imagery shows a close-up of the site where the U.S. reportedly plans to open a military base in Narsarsuaq, Kujalleq Municipality, Greenland, Sept. 12. 2026 PLANET LABS PBC/Handout via Reuters-Yonhap

COPENHAGEN — The United States will build two military bases in southern and eastern Greenland under a wide-ranging security agreement signed Tuesday between the United States, Greenland and Denmark on Tuesday.

Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly insisted that the U.S. needed to control Greenland for strategic reasons, alarming NATO ally Denmark and sparking fierce pushback from the alliance.

On Tuesday, Washington, Copenhagen and Nuuk signed a 10-page agreement in New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, giving the U.S. control over security in Denmark's autonomous Arctic territory.

Under the deal — which reaffirmed "the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark" and recognised Greenland's "right to self-determination" — Washington will establish military bases in Narsarsuaq in the south of the island and Mestersvig in the east, in addition to the Pituffik base it already operates in the north.

In a section aimed at barring U.S. adversaries China and Russia from gaining a foothold in the Arctic, the agreement blocks non-NATO, non-EU countries from strategic sectors in Greenland.

"The Parties agree that states or investors from a state that is not a member of NATO, a NATO partner, or an EU member state shall not be allowed to have control, significant influence, or access to non-public information that may constitute a threat to national security or public order within particularly sensitive sectors or activities in the territory of Greenland (including the Territorial Waters), unless agreed between the Parties that the activities of such states or investors would not constitute a threat to national security or public order," the agreement says.

The agreement also stipulates that Greenland, home to 57,000 inhabitants, must continue to abide by the agreement even if it obtains independence from Denmark, and must remain in or join NATO "if necessary".

Under a 1951 defence pact updated in 2004, Washington was already able to ramp up its military presence on the island provided it informed Denmark and Greenland in advance.

Explore More