Washington DC, US, September 19: The United States is expected to reach an agreement with Denmark and Greenland that would provide Washington permanent military access, basing and overflight rights on the island, while allowing the establishment of additional US military installations, Fox News reported.
According to a senior US official cited by Fox News, the agreement would have no expiration date and would remain in force even if Greenland becomes independent in the future. The arrangement would not transfer sovereignty over Greenland to the United States.
The agreement would also prevent China, Russia and other non-NATO countries from establishing military bases or maintaining troops in Greenland. It would restrict investments by potential US adversaries in sensitive sectors, including infrastructure and other areas linked to national security.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the agreement would secure US interests in the Arctic without additional cost to American taxpayers.
Under the proposed arrangement, the United States would be able to establish additional military installations when it determines they are required. Denmark and Greenland would be consulted on such decisions but, according to the report, would not have approval authority.
The development follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement on Truth Social that he had reached what he described as an “Infinite Life” agreement with Denmark and Greenland. Trump said the arrangement would give the United States permanent control over security and other needs in Greenland and prevent US adversaries from establishing military bases, deploying forces or making sensitive investments on the island without Washington’s approval.
Greenland already hosts the US Pituffik Space Base, while American military access to the island has been governed by a defence agreement with Denmark dating back to 1951. The proposed agreement would expand those existing arrangements.
According to Fox News, negotiations involving US, Danish and Greenlandic officials began in February and continued through several rounds of confidential discussions.
Denmark has said the agreement would strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic while recognising the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the expected agreement would strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic and would benefit NATO and Europe.