Releases
President Trump Inks Historic Arctic Security Agreement
The White House
September 22, 2026
Today, President Donald J. Trump joined leaders of Denmark and Greenland to sign an unprecedented agreement giving the United States lasting control over security interests in Greenland. The landmark agreement — which comes at no cost to American taxpayers — forever guarantees America the ability to defend the continent, includes permanent basing rights, and bars any U.S. adversary from establishing a base, military presence, or sensitive investment without America’s approval.
The agreement is being hailed at home and around the world as a decisive victory for American security and a stronger NATO in the Arctic. Here’s what they’re saying:
President Donald J. Trump : “As I announced just days ago, the U.S. has also reached an unprecedented agreement regarding the Northern Frontier of North America — the large and strategically vital piece of land known as Greenland. This agreement… gives the United States permanent control over security and all other needs on that territory. We will have the complete ability to do what is necessary to defend the American continent.”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen : “This day represents a milestone in our longstanding cooperation. 75 years ago, we entered into an agreement about the defense of Greenland. Today, we are signing an even bigger and better agreement — a deal that can last forever. This deal is good for the United States, it’s good for Greenland, for Denmark, for the NATO alliance, and therefore, also good for Europe. In other words, we are strengthening our common security, boosting our common deterrence, showing our adversaries who we are — and we are doing it together.”
Prime Minister of Greenland Jens-Frederik Nielsen : “We are, have been, and will remain a steadfast friend of the United States and a part of the Western alliance. Your security is our security and our security is your security. We are truly pleased with the result that strengthens our shared security and strengthens our bond as close allies. This agreement is historical.”
Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen : “An important moment today. Greenland, Denmark and the United States have signed an agreement strengthening security in the Arctic and North Atlantic. It’s been a bumpy ride. But here we are – with a deal in hand that we can all be very satisfied with. We share a long history. And we share a responsibility for the security of our region. Today, we take another important step together – with full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination. History binds us together. Our future demands that we stand together.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte : “Great to see the deal signed by the United States, Denmark, and Greenland today. We know the threats we face, and greater security in the Arctic and North Atlantic is essential for Europe and North America alike. This agreement, along with NATO’s growing role in securing this vital region, enhances our collective security and supports a safer and more stable future for us all”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen : “I welcome today’s agreement on strengthening security in the Arctic and North Atlantic. My visit to Greenland earlier this month underscored the strategic importance of the region and the scale of the challenges. Challenges we will face together. As always, the EU will work closely with Denmark and Greenland and our international partners.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz : “Good news for the security of Greenland: The agreement between Denmark, Greenland, and the USA strengthens our partnership in NATO and security in the High North. Our partners can count on the support of Germany.”
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre : “I welcome the agreement between Greenland, Denmark and the USA. It is a good diplomatic solution, important for stability and security in the [Arctic].”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni : “Well done on the agreement between the United States, Denmark, and Greenland. The Arctic is a strategic area: security is built together.”
Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna : “Estonia welcomes the agreement reached by Denmark, Greenland and the United States to strengthen security in the Arctic. Enhanced cooperation among NATO Allies in Greenland and the Arctic reinforces the security of the Alliance and of Europe as a whole. Close and coordinated cooperation among Allies remains the most effective way to strengthen deterrence and defence in the region.”
Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard : “I welcome that Denmark, Greenland and the United States have reached an agreement on strengthened security in the Arctic and North-Atlantic area. Sweden remains committed to working with all our Allies to improve our common security.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio : “This historic deal is a huge win for the United States and the American people. Thanks to President Trump’s vision and leadership, this historic agreement permanently guarantees U.S. security interests in the Arctic at zero cost to the U.S. taxpayer. Greenland will forever be part of the strategic defense area of North America and exclude any adversary from it and the surrounding area. This deal permanently and completely addresses our national security concerns in Greenland.”
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz : “History in the making at UNGA as President Trump seals his landmark deal with Denmark and Greenland ensuring American national security and defense in the Arctic region.”
U.S. Ambassador to Denmark Kenneth Howery : “Historic day for the United States, Denmark, and Greenland. A tremendous honor to join President Trump, Prime Minister Frederiksen, and Prime Minister Nielsen in New York today as they sign an agreement to ensure all three of our countries’ security for generations to come.”
U.S. Special Envoy to Greenland Jeff Landry : “This is a great day for America and for our national security interests. Well done President @realDonaldTrump and @SecRubio! With the signing of this deal, American interests in the Arctic have never been more secure. This is America First. This is promises made, promises kept!”
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich : “In 1946, President Truman’s administration explored purchasing Greenland because of its importance to American defense. Eighty years later, President Trump has announced a new Arctic security agreement. The geography hasn’t changed. The strategic competition has.”
Former Deputy National Security Advisor KT McFarland : “Game changer”
Former National Security Council Chief of Staff Alex Gray : “Nearly two years ago I wrote in @WSJopinion that POTUS should actually buy #Greenland. He has now scored a remarkable victory that accomplishes those goals without the cost.”
Center for Security Policy Senior Fellow Col. Grant Newsham (ret.) : “This is a big deal. This is right up there with Secretary of State Seward getting Alaska. It’s a little different because we haven’t bought the place, but it locks up or brings into the fold, really, key terrain, key geography, up on our northeast… Russia and the Chinese, in particular, they can’t get in there militarily, and they cannot get in economically.”
Washington Times Editorial Board : “Coming on the heels of his Venezuela triumph — access to the world’s largest known oil reserves — President Trump’s Greenland deal caps his status as one of history’s great dealmakers.”
Commentator Scott Jennings : “Donald Trump was right about Greenland from the beginning… and finally, we got it done. This historic agreement between the United States and Denmark gives Donald Trump everything we wanted and everything we needed as it relates to the future security of Greenland.”
Claremont Institute Senior Fellow Jeremy Carl : “This is a major win for which President Trump, Secretary Rubio and the administration are not getting nearly enough credit. It will dramatically fortify our Arctic security while permanently keeping out Russian and Chinese meddling. Denmark keeps its sovereignty and Greenland keeps its rights of self-determination– neither of which were core issues for America in any case. This is an actual win-win for all parties involved and it would not have happened without early and very visible U.S. pressure (highlighted by VP Vance’s visit) all of which were met by howls of criticism from the corporate media and foreign policy ‘experts.’”
Commentator Hugh Hewitt : “To repeat, this is an enormous deal. Keep score on who downplays it or minimizes its importance. President Trump has secured part of the gateway to the Arctic —an unqualified big win. Those that won’t admit it will also have likely damned POTUS for straining relations with Denmark and NATO over elevating the topic from the start of his second term. Now that is behind the allies, the threats are identified and excluded, access guaranteed for Golden Dome facilities and any other basing needs. Sheesh TDS is a powerful drug.”
Fox Business Network host David Asman : “For all the hullabaloo, it looks like we ended up with a good Greenland deal.”
Just the News Editor-in-Chief John Solomon : “This deal not only strengthens national security but also addresses longstanding strategic concerns in the region.”
Commentator Dan Bongino : “…a generational security deal with GREENLAND has been agreed to, the border is CLOSED, the streets are SAFER, we’re BUILDING things in America again, and Donald J. Trump is the President of the United States of America.”
Commentator David Burke : “As I learn the incredible news that Denmark has signed an agreement granting the United States military installation rights in Greenland, I can’t help smiling at the way President Trump steered this historic event. The Media & the Democrats got it all wrong AGAIN!”
NewsNation host Katie Pavlich : “Manifest Destiny continues 🇺🇸”
Commentator Glenn Beck : “If you look at the last two years, it’s clear President Trump is preparing for something big. He’s securing permanent security control over Greenland, kicked China out of the Panama Canal, and locked up 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil. For 25 years, China quietly bought up our backyard to gain a strategic stranglehold on our side of the globe. In just 20 months, Trump pulled the rug right out from under them. While the rest of the world fractures, Trump is building a completely self-sufficient Western Hemisphere. One where America controls its own destiny without bowing to Beijing or Tehran.”
Strategy Risks Vice President Melissa Chen : “This is a big deal… Your future as a North American depends on it. This deal constitutes a strategy of denial for China’s Arctic ambitions and Russia’s Arctic militarization, two revisionist powers that have been probing NATO’s northern edge and the GIUK gap, the gateway to the Atlantic: Donroe Doctrine FTW”
Columnist Gordon Chang : “President Trump is securing the Arctic with the historic Greenland deal.”
Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton : “Great news for our national security on Greenland from @realDonaldTrump!”
Commentator Mark Levin : “POTUS is unbelievable! He pulled it off!”
American Conservative Union Chairman Matt Schlapp : “Like the Wall he just kept pushing and now it’s a reality. Never seen anything like it.”
Martin Capital CEO Rod D. Martin : “With today’s signing of the tripartite deal between the United States, Greenland, and Denmark, Donald Trump has achieved yet another masterstroke — like the NATO commitment to increase defense spending more than two-and-a-half times, like the EU trade deal, like booting China out of Panama.”
Commentator Marc Thiessen : “Greenland problem solved!”
Sen. Jim Banks : “They said it couldn’t be done, but @POTUS just proved the foreign policy establishment wrong again. This historic agreement with Denmark ensures the United States and our allies will be able to secure Greenland and the High North against our adversaries for generations to come.”
Sen. Bill Hagerty : “It’s hard to overstate the monumental impact of @POTUS ‘s historic agreement with the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland. Many thought an achievement of this magnitude was impossible, but @realDonaldTrump has proven once again that he knows the art of the deal. America is the leader of the free world, and this accomplishment will forever stand as a pivotal moment for security at home and abroad.”
Sen. Mike Lee : “We’ve got Greenland! This is what winning looks like.”
Sen. Dave McCormick : “Greenland is vital to America’s national security. @POTUS ‘s deal gives America permanent military access while Greenland remains under Danish sovereignty. This terrific development will play a pivotal role in American’s Golden Dome Defense and strengthen deterrence as China and Russia expand their presence in the Arctic.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski : “I’m encouraged that our nations have reached a breakthrough that respects Greenlandic self-determination and the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark while strengthening our shared security in the Arctic. I’m hopeful that this agreement will build upon the longstanding framework established by the 1951 Defense of Greenland Agreement, adapting our cooperation to address today’s security challenges while preserving the foundation that has supported our partnership. I have always had faith in the enduring friendship between the United States, Greenland, and Denmark, and I believe this agreement represents an important opportunity to further strengthen our bond.”
Republican Study Committee: “President Trump proved once again that it is possible to put Americans first while strengthening security for our allies and partners around the world. This historic Greenland deal is a major win for American national security.”
Rep. Brian Babin : “This is a major development and a critical step forward for our national security. Thank you, President Trump, for securing this historic agreement!”
Rep. Michael Cloud : “Today’s agreement on Greenland is significant. It gives the United States permanent control over security in the region and ensures no adversary can establish a presence without our approval. Having visited Pituffik Space Base, the strategic importance of this place is clear.”
Rep. Pat Fallon : “Excellent news for US national security.”
Rep. Randy Fine : “President Trump locked down security control of Greenland so Russia and China can never use it against us. Other presidents talked about it, he got it done. Yet another win for America delivered by President Trump.”
Rep. Lance Gooden : “The ‘experts’ insisted a deal over Greenland was impossible. President Trump has proven them wrong once more. This landmark agreement with Denmark and Greenland will help safeguard U.S. national security for generations to come!”
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis : “The security agreement signed today will strengthen the United States military and strategic position in the Arctic while preventing China and Russia from gaining footholds in the region. Greenland’s strategic location and rare-earth resources make it vital to America’s national and economic security and I applaud President Trump for negotiating this critical and consequential deal.”
Rep. Rich McCormick : “Greenland is critical to America’s national security. President Trump secured a landmark deal that defends our national interests, keeps our adversaries out, and makes America safer. Peace through strength. America First.”
Rep. John Moolenaar : “Permanently controlling Greenland’s security is a tremendous victory for President Trump and the American people. Greenland is home to critical minerals that will power the future and it can never fall under the control of China or Russia. China has often tried to stake false illegitimate claims in the Arctic and this agreement will ensure it never has a foothold in Greenland.”
Rep. Andy Ogles : “President Trump did what no other president could: He secured Greenland and with it the complete security of North America. This is OUR hemisphere. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!”
Rep. Burgess Owens : “This is called Win/Win America First…continuing at warp speed”
Rep. Greg Steube : “President Trump is locking our adversaries out of Greenland and strengthening America’s position in the Arctic. Another great deal for America!”
Rep. Marlin Stutzman : “NEVER DOUBT THE ART OF THE DEAL‼️ Congratulations @POTUS and America on the newest and perhaps greatest security asset to the United States in a long time. We needed Greenland, and now, we have a solution. President Trump, @SecRubio, and everyone behind this extraordinary achievement are always putting America First, and this is the latest, greatest example.”
