Several social media posts and screenshots about Greenland are going viral. These posts, citing an alleged statement by U.S. President Donald Trump, claim that the United States has reached an agreement with Denmark and Greenland that gives Washington “permanent control” over Greenland’s security. Some posts are also linking the development to U.S. plans to establish military bases and gain access to natural resources in Greenland, such as rare earth elements, uranium, zinc and iron ore.
The most important point in this entire matter is that Trump did make such a claim on September 18, 2026. However, according to the official information available from Denmark, it would not be accurate to present the development as a transfer of Greenland’s sovereignty to the United States. The formal structure and detailed terms of the proposed agreement have not yet been made public, and the necessary parliamentary procedures required for it to enter into force are still pending.
What Did Trump Claim ?
On September 18, Trump said on his social media account that the United States had reached an agreement with Denmark and Greenland under which the U.S. would have “permanent control over security and all other needs” in Greenland.
He also said that in the future, no U.S. adversary would be allowed to establish a military base, military presence or make sensitive investments in Greenland without explicit written approval from the United States. Trump described the arrangement as an “Infinite Life” Agreement and also spoke about increasing the U.S. military presence in Greenland. AFP reported that Trump said the process of developing a large U.S. military presence in Greenland had begun.
Therefore, the core statement shown in the viral screenshots should not simply be described as fabricated. Trump did make the statement publicly. However, Trump’s political statement and the final legal status of an international agreement are not necessarily the same thing.
Did the United States Get Greenland ?
No. Based on the available official information, that would not be an accurate description.
The Danish Prime Minister’s Office said in an official statement on September 18 that Greenland, Denmark and the United States were expected to sign an agreement the following week aimed at strengthening security in the Arctic and North Atlantic region.
Most importantly, the same official statement quoted Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen as saying that the agreement recognizes “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom” as well as the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination.
This means that the available official information does not announce that Greenland is becoming part of the United States or that its sovereignty is being transferred to Washington.
The Agreement Has Not Yet Entered Into Force
Viral posts sometimes create the impression that the agreement has already been fully implemented. This also needs to be examined carefully.
According to the Danish Prime Minister’s Office, the three parties were expected to sign the agreement the following week during the United Nations General Assembly. After signing, the agreement would still be subject to the necessary national parliamentary procedures before entering into force.
Therefore, based on the official information available as of September 20, 2026, the final legal process had not yet been completed.
For this reason, statements such as “The United States has gained permanent control of Greenland from today” oversimplify the official position.
What Is Greenland’s Current Constitutional Status ?
Greenland is not an independent country. It is a self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Under Greenland’s Self-Government Act, which came into force on June 21, 2009, Greenland has assumed legislative and administrative responsibilities in many domestic areas. At the same time, certain major areas, including constitutional matters, nationality, foreign policy, defence and security policy, remain under the authority of the central Danish state.
The framework also recognizes the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination.
If Greenland’s people were to choose independence in the future, negotiations between Denmark and Greenland would have to take place according to the established constitutional process, with the required procedures, including a referendum, being followed.
Therefore, it would not be factually accurate to suggest that Greenland’s constitutional status has changed simply because of a statement by a U.S. president.
Does the United States Already Have a Military Presence in Greenland ?
Yes. This is another important fact for understanding the current controversy.
The United States has maintained a military presence in Greenland since the period following World War II. The U.S. currently operates Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, which is the principal and only remaining U.S. defence area in Greenland.
The United States and Denmark already have a 1951 Defense Agreement. Subsequent amendments and arrangements have also been made. Under the 2004 agreement, there have been provisions for informing and consulting relevant Danish and Greenlandic authorities before significant changes to U.S. military activities or facilities.
Therefore, the current development should not be viewed as the beginning of U.S. military presence in Greenland from scratch. The proposed new agreement relates to strengthening or developing the existing security framework.
Will the U.S. Build New Military Bases in Greenland ?
Trump has spoken about expanding the U.S. military presence and developing a larger military presence in Greenland. Media reports have also discussed the possibility of additional U.S. military facilities, including potential locations in southern Greenland.
However, the final number, locations and legal arrangements for any new bases have not been publicly detailed in the official announcement currently available.
Therefore, it would not be appropriate to present claims circulating on social media about a specific number of new U.S. bases as a final decision.
Are Greenland’s Rare Minerals the Reason for the Agreement ?
Greenland’s mineral resources have attracted international interest for many years. Viral images and posts mention resources such as rare earth elements, uranium, zinc and iron ore.
However, the official announcement concerning this particular security agreement does not identify these minerals as the stated basis of the agreement. The available reporting on Trump’s statement also indicates that his remarks about the agreement did not specifically establish U.S. control over Greenland’s rare earth minerals.
Therefore, two separate facts should not be mixed together:
- Greenland has significant mineral resources.
- The proposed security agreement gives the United States control over those resources.
The first is a separate factual issue, while the second has not been established by the available official announcement.
Why Are Russia and China Important to the Issue ?
Trump’s statement focused on preventing U.S. strategic rivals from establishing military bases or sensitive military presence in Greenland. Reporting on the proposed arrangement has also connected the issue to preventing China and Russia from establishing military facilities or deploying troops in Greenland and to creating mechanisms concerning sensitive investments.
The issue is connected to the growing strategic importance of the Arctic region. Denmark has also described the proposed agreement in the broader context of security in the Arctic and North Atlantic and the wider security of NATO.
The Danish government has previously emphasized that Arctic security should be pursued while respecting principles including sovereignty and territorial integrity, and has stated that Greenland belongs to its people.
Final Fact
Based on the official information available as of September 20, 2026, the United States, Denmark and Greenland were preparing to sign a new agreement aimed at strengthening security in the Arctic and North Atlantic region, with the signing expected during the United Nations General Assembly. The agreement would still be subject to the necessary national parliamentary procedures before entering into force.
Trump has presented the arrangement as a permanent security framework for the United States. However, Denmark’s official position states that the arrangement recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination.
Therefore, describing the development as “America has taken over Greenland” or “Denmark has handed Greenland over to the United States” is not supported by the official facts currently available.
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