Nach Streit mit Trump: Grönland-Abkommen: Was springt für Trump raus?

The United States, Denmark and Greenland have signed an agreement to deepen their security partnership, ending a heated dispute over the Arctic island. The deal modernizes and expands the existing U.S.-Danish defense agreement, which has been in place since 1951, and does not have an expiration date. Under the agreement, the U.S. will modernize the existing Pituffik Space Base and expand its activities there.

The U.S. will also be allowed to build two more defense areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig. Additional military bases could be built if all three parties agree. Denmark and Greenland will grant the U.S. military forces significant freedom of movement on and around the Arctic island, on land, water and in the air. However, they must respect Greenlandic culture and society, including hunting and fishing.

Denmark has pledged to strengthen its presence in the Arctic. No non-NATO state may establish its own military installations in Greenland or maintain a "permanent presence of forces" on the island without the agreement of the three parties. Investments by non-NATO or non-partner EU countries are also limited. The deal comes into effect only after the necessary parliamentary processes in the Danish kingdom and Greenland are completed.

It supersedes the existing defense agreement between the U.S. and Denmark, which dates back to 1951 and was supplemented in 2004. The U.S. and Denmark agreed on rules allowing the U.S. to have a military presence and maintain facilities on the island. The U.S. was already granted extensive use rights. The scientific service for the U.S. Congress stated that the agreement could also include an expansion of the presence.

Both flight rights and maritime rights were granted to the U.S. The U.S. has been militarily present on the island, with its nearly 60,000 inhabitants, for decades, though the trend has been downward. Currently, the U.S. operates only the Pituffik Space Base, focusing on missile defense and space surveillance. Trump marketed the deal as a victory, seeking positive headlines amid internal political pressure due to the ongoing Iran war and upcoming U.S. parliamentary elections.

He aimed to boost his standing against China and Russia, whose influence in the region, he claimed, was prominent by late 2025. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the need to scrutinize foreign investments in Greenland. Greenland can breathe easily for now, as its sovereignty is not affected. Greenland viewed the agreement as a success, as it participated in negotiations and signed it.

Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen emphasized that this is not just an agreement about Greenland, but an agreement with Greenland. On the other hand, trust in the U.S. has suffered due to previous threats. Residents of potential future military bases in Narsarsuaq have already expressed criticism about a U.S. presence nearby. Denmark is likely very satisfied with the deal.

Firstly, it ends the diplomatic crisis with a crucial cooperation partner. Secondly, the deal may not have cost the Danes as much as feared, with many points of agreement between Denmark and the U.S., such as the growing Arctic threat and the need for a stronger NATO presence. For NATO, the agreement aims to show even more flag in Greenland, should the three parties wish.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg wrote on X that the agreement strengthens, along with NATO's growing role in securing this strategically important region, our collective security and contributes to a safer and more stable future for all.