The United States, Denmark and Greenland are preparing to sign a security agreement that will establish two additional US military sites on the island.

The pact is expected to be signed at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The agreement expands the existing US presence at Pituffik Space Base by adding facilities in southern and eastern Greenland.

New military locations

The United States plans to re-establish a military base at Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland. This site was formerly the location of the American Bluie West One base. Additionally, a new military presence will be set up at Mestersvig on Greenland’s east coast.

Denmark’s Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, a special forces unit operating across Greenland’s remote Arctic territory, currently uses Mestersvig.

NATO role in Arctic security

Denmark insists the agreement places Arctic security under the broader responsibility of NATO rather than leaving it solely to the US and Denmark. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen stated the arrangement ensures security is not handled exclusively by Copenhagen or Washington.

Rasmussen told Danish broadcaster TV2 that "it would be NATO that looks after the Arctic." He added that the agreement would be in a form where responsibility for security in the Arctic is not only Danish or American.

Political context

President Donald Trump said the US reached a new security agreement with Denmark and Greenland that gives Washington a permanent security role. He claimed the deal provides the US with "permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland."

Denmark and Greenland stated the deal preserves their sovereignty and Greenlanders’ right to self-determination. Previously, Trump had argued at a NATO summit in Ankara that the US needed the island for security, saying, "We took Greenland and then, stupidly, we gave it back." Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rejected that push, stating, "Greenland is, of course, not for sale."

A White House spokesperson declined to comment on specifics but said the agreement would "secure and defend the security of Greenland and the United States."

President Donald Trump’s new Greenland security agreement has drawn sharp reactions from investors Peter Schiff and Michael Burry.

Schiff argued on X that Trump had effectively abandoned his earlier push to acquire or annex the territory, settling for enhancements to the existing security structure after a "costly public pressure" campaign. He contended that the public threats to invade caused more reputational harm than the concessions gained.

Questions on Permanence

Schiff challenged the characterization of "permanent control" asserted by Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He wrote that the control is conditional: "That control only lasts so long as the NATO alliance remains in place. When NATO ends, so does the new deal."

Responding to users who argued the agreement provides a permanent strategic lockout of Russia and China, Schiff pushed back, stating the deal is not permanent in isolation but tied to the broader alliance framework.

Missile Defense Value

Michael Burry highlighted the military significance of the island, resurfacing a January analysis. He pointed to two potential advantages for the US:

• Positioning missile defenses to intercept incoming Russian or Chinese ICBMs.
• Deploying offensive missile capabilities closer to those countries.

Burry noted that Greenland lies near the trajectories of missiles traveling between Russia and North America and near the region where ballistic missiles reach their highest altitude, or apogee.

Deal Terms Preserved

The agreement grants Washington permanent security control over the Arctic territory while expanding its military presence and barring rivals from accessing critical minerals. It does not transfer sovereignty to the US.

Denmark and Greenland confirmed the pact recognizes Danish sovereignty and Greenlanders’ right to self-determination. The territory remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the agreement strengthens security in the Arctic and North Atlantic.

Key Projects

Greenland Mines closed its purchase of the Sarfartoq Nd-Pr Rare Earths Project on September 1. The $2.05 billion project could produce about one-third of the amount refined globally outside of China. Critical Metals Corp. announced a breakthrough at its Tanbreez heavy rare earth project, processing over 99% of eudialyte concentrate into ultra-high-purity products.

Next Steps

The agreement is expected to be formally signed during the UN General Assembly next week. It requires parliamentary procedures in Denmark and Greenland. The US already maintains a presence at Pituffik Space Base under a longstanding defense arrangement.

• Peter Schiff argues deal lasts only while NATO exists
• Michael Burry highlights Greenland's missile defense role
• Sovereignty remains with Denmark and Greenland
• Adversaries barred from critical mineral investments