President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen signed in New York on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, an agreement amending and supplementing the Agreement of 27 April 1951 pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty between the United States and the Kingdom of Denmark on the defense of Greenland, according to the full text published the same day by the White House and same-day Associated Press reporting carried by PBS News. AP via PBS and Breaking Defense place the ceremony on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly after Trump’s Assembly address; the White House text states “Done at New York on the 22nd day of September, 2026.”
The parties are the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark together with the Government of Greenland. The White House preamble reaffirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and recognizes the People of Greenland as a people under international law with the right to self-determination, citing Act no. 473 of 12 June 2009.
What the signed text enables, as the White House publication states: the United States “shall be allowed to modernize and expand its activities in Pituffik Space Base”; “shall be allowed to establish an additional Defense Area at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig in accordance with modalities and technical details to be mutually agreed by the Parties”; and “may establish additional defense areas” and strengthen operations or facilities, with either Party able to propose a new Defense Area and Permanent Committee consultations, escalating to deputy then minister level if no agreement within 90 days. Modalities for Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig remain mutually agreed; the text sets no construction schedule or force levels. Trump told the U.N. the U.S. would develop “a large military presence” and “building two very major military bases,” per AP via PBS and Breaking Defense — wording from his Assembly address, not from the agreement text.
On access, the White House text provides free access for U.S. public vessels and aircraft and armed forces and vehicles to and between the Defense Areas through Greenland, including the Territorial Waters, by land, air, and sea; U.S. aircraft may fly over and land anywhere in Greenland, including the Territorial Waters; and U.S. public vessels may have undersea access within the Territorial Waters, “without restriction except as mutually agreed upon by the Parties.” Those rights must respect Greenlandic society and ways of life, including hunting and fishing, “to the maximum extent possible,” with Permanent Committee review, the text says.
On third states and procurement: “No state that is not a member of NATO shall be allowed to establish its own manned or unmanned military installations in Greenland nor shall they be allowed a persistent presence of military forces in Greenland, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties.” Unmanned installations outside Defense Areas require accelerated Danish–Greenland review and are not automatic. The United States shall award Defense Area contracts, including construction and dismantling, “to Greenlandic sources to the maximum extent possible,” and the Parties agree to update the 2020 Diplomatic Notes. A separate article restricts control, significant influence, or sensitive non-public access in Particularly Sensitive Sectors or Activities by investors from states that are not NATO members, NATO partners, or EU members, unless the Parties agree otherwise — via Greenland investment screening with Danish authorities.
Duration and independence contingency, per the White House text: “This Agreement does not have an end date and may only be amended by mutual consent in accordance with Article XIII of the 1951 Defense Agreement.” If Greenland becomes independent, Denmark and Greenland shall together ensure the independent state will (i) agree to remain in NATO, including by applying for membership if necessary, and (ii) affirmatively assume Denmark’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the Defense Arrangements from independence. The preamble notes a shared interest in U.S. access “including through establishment of a Golden Dome defense system”; that clause is not a numbered build schedule.
Entry into force is not automatic on signature. “This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of a diplomatic note informing the United States of the completion of necessary parliamentary procedures by the Kingdom of Denmark together with Greenland.” As of the White House publication and same-day wires opened for this draft, that note has not been reported as delivered — signed, not yet in force.
Same-day colour, attribute only: Frederiksen called it a “deal that can last forever”; Nielsen a “win-win-win agreement”; NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte welcomed it on X — AP via PBS and Breaking Defense. AP via PBS reported that Trump did not answer whether U.S. acquisition was off the table.
What to watch without mood: Danish and Greenlandic parliamentary procedures and the diplomatic note; modalities for Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig; Permanent Committee proposals for additional Defense Areas; 2020 Diplomatic Notes updates on Greenlandic contracting.
Floor: White House text — US/DK/Greenland agreement signed New York 22 Sep 2026 amending/supplementing 1951 Defense Agreement; Pituffik modernize/expand; Defense Areas Narsarsuaq + Mestersvig (modalities TBD); additional areas by mutual agreement; undersea access; no non-NATO manned/unmanned installs without Parties’ consent; Greenlandic procurement preference; no end date; if independence → remain NATO + assume DK obligations. EIF: diplomatic note after DK + Greenland parliamentary procedures — not yet in force. Signing: Trump, Frederiksen, Nielsen (AP/PBS; Breaking Defense).