AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK TOGETHER WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF GREENLAND

Summary: This is the full text of the trilateral agreement, signed September 22, 2026 in New York, between the United States, Denmark, and Greenland, amending the 1951 Defense of Greenland Agreement. Key provisions: Objectives: Facilitates U.S. and allied ability to carry out defense responsibilities in Greenland while respecting Greenlandic society's interests. NATO engagement: Supports stronger NATO presence in the Arctic (planning, exercises, intelligence). Defense Areas: The U.S. may modernize/expand Pituffik Space Base, establish new Defense Areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, and propose additional defense areas in the future (with a dispute-resolution process escalating from a Permanent Committee to deputy-minister and minister-level talks if unresolved within 90 days). Contracts for Defense Area construction/maintenance must go to Greenlandic sources "to the maximum extent possible." Military access: U.S. forces get free movement between Defense Areas by land, air, and sea, including through Greenland's territorial waters, with rights to be exercised respecting Greenlandic traditional activities like hunting and fishing. Security/counter-espionage: The U.S. can raise concerns about construction near Defense Areas that could threaten security; both parties commit to cooperating against espionage. Third-party restrictions: Non-NATO states are barred from establishing military installations or persistent military presence in Greenland without agreement by the parties. Investment screening: Non-NATO, non-NATO-partner, or non-EU investors are barred from controlling or gaining significant influence/access to sensitive sectors (critical infrastructure, resource extraction) in Greenland unless agreed otherwise. Permanence: The agreement has no end date and can only be amended by mutual consent. If Greenland becomes independent, the new state must remain in (or apply to join) NATO and assume all obligations under this agreement. Entry into force: Effective upon Denmark/Greenland completing required parliamentary procedures. Sovereignty language: The agreement explicitly reaffirms Danish sovereignty and territorial integrity, and recognizes the Greenlandic people's right to self-determination under international law and Greenland's 2009 Self-Government Act.