Trump Claims Full U.S. Access to Greenland Under NATO Framework Deal

Washington/Greenland, January 24, 2026 – U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that a NATO framework agreement now grants the United States “full access” to Greenland, emphasizing the island’s strategic importance for American national security. The announcement comes as Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen visited Greenland amid rising tensions over U.S. ambitions in the Arctic region.

Trump’s Statement on Greenland

Speaking to Fox Business, Trump described the NATO deal as “very generous” and asserted that the United States should have the ability to operate freely on the island. “We have the capacity to do whatever we want,” he said. Trump reiterated that the island would be crucial for the Golden Dome missile defense system but dismissed earlier speculation about using military force to seize control, a scenario he had ruled out at the Davos forum.

Danish Response

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen welcomed Trump’s assurance that no military action would be taken. However, he noted that Greenlandic authorities were not formally briefed on the details of any agreement. During her visit, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized her priority was to demonstrate strong support for the people of Greenland during challenging times, while European nations maintain a firm stance on protecting the island’s autonomy.

U.S. Presence in Greenland

The United States has maintained a presence in Greenland since World War II, though its military footprint was reduced after the Cold War to a small base. Trump stated that his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at Davos led to a productive discussion and a framework deal aimed at updating the 1951 agreement between Denmark and the U.S. The deal is expected to formalize and expand U.S. access and operations on the Arctic island.

According to reports from The Sun and Daily Mail, the proposed blueprint also includes restrictions on Chinese and Russian investments in Greenland, reflecting growing concerns over foreign influence in the Arctic.

Trump’s statements highlight the strategic and geopolitical importance of Greenland for the U.S., particularly in the context of missile defense and Arctic security, while also underscoring tensions with European partners over sovereignty and control in the region.