No Purchase Necessary: Trump’s Strategic Takeover of Greenland

From Trump’s earlier push to acquire Greenland to the 2026 security agreement with Denmark and Greenland, Washington’s approach has shifted from territorial acquisition to strategic access — a shift that reflects a broader contest for control over the Arctic, supply chains and spheres of influence.

Since Trump was initially trying to purchase Greenland and make it a part of the US, he threatened Greenland’s sovereignty and consequently received a lot of pushbacks from the people. However, Trump has now found another, more ‘acceptable’ route to take control of Greenland. On 22nd September 2026, President Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen signed a trilateral security agreement, widely known as the “Arctic security deal”, at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

The deal seeks to expand U.S. strategic access within the existing political framework, which also indirectly threatens Denmark’s sovereignty, but has appeased the masses. The Danish PM has changed his tune and is now defending the deal with the US, stating, “the deal was good for the US, Greenland and Denmark”. In the past, he scoffed at Trump’s ambitions and called the deal absurd, but now apparently it is a “win-win-win” for Denmark.

What the Greenland Agreement Gives Washington

The Greenland agreement has allowed Washington to expand its military presence beyond the existing Pituffik space base. The agreement now allows Washington to establish new military facilities at Narsarsuaq in Southern Greenland and Mestersvig on the East coast. Narsarsuaq has historical importance for the US, as it was home to the former U.S. Bluei West........

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