The US Expands Its Footprint in Greenland

Key Defense Provisions#

Here is a quick summary of the most notable provisions:

• The US may modernize and expand its activities at Pituffik Space Base.
• The US may establish an additional Defense Area at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, and either party may propose further defense areas.
• “Unmanned military installations” are allowed outside the defense areas.

The last point most likely means the US will host unmanned drone hubs or remote radar stations that need little or no staff. Article IX, in turn, bars any state that is not a NATO member from establishing its own manned or unmanned military installations in Greenland.

Narsarsuaq is no surprise. The Arctic Century recently reported that US Navy engineers had surveyed and mapped the runway there: US Engineers Survey Narsarsuaq as Danish F-35s Land in Greenland.

Military Access#

Article VI grants the US armed forces, vessels, aircraft, and vehicles “the right of free access to and movement between the Defense Areas through Greenland, including the Territorial Waters, by land, air and sea.” The same may apply to unmanned military installations, subject to agreement by the parties. The provision on aircraft and submarines goes further:

“United States aircraft may fly over and land in any territory in Greenland, including the Territorial Waters, and United States public vessels may have undersea access to and movement within the Territorial Waters, without restriction except as mutually agreed upon by the Parties.”

US public vessels may also receive additional access to Greenland’s territorial waters whenever the parties agree that the military situation requires it for the defense of the North Atlantic Treaty area, Greenland, and the American continent—or for other agreed purposes.

Against Foreign Investment#

Article X targets foreign direct investment—a visible swipe at China, which has tried to expand its financial influence in Greenland. The document cites “the threat to national security and public order posed by increased efforts by adversaries to expand influence and control in Greenland.”

Under the agreement, states or investors from a country that is not a NATO member, a NATO partner, or an EU member state may not have:

• Control;
• Significant influence;
• Access to non-public information that may constitute a threat to national security and public order within Particularly Sensitive Sectors or Activities in the territory of Greenland.

The only exception is if the parties agree that such investors pose no threat.

Said to Benefit Everyone#

“This is tremendous for Europe and for the United States, for everybody, and for Greenland,” Trump said at the signing in New York, according to ABC News. “It’s going to be incredible.”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, turning to Trump, added: “Mr. President, you have been very clear: You don’t want adversaries to come too close. I fully agree, and with this deal, they are not.” According to Frederiksen, the agreement ensures that adversaries will get no control or significant influence in Greenland, while more allies will be present in the Arctic.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Greenland’s prime minister, called the agreement a “win-win-win” for all parties. “Your security is our security,” he said, “and our security is your security.”

The full text of the agreement may be found here.