Report: Trump demands Greenland fully lift military restrictions

According to media reports on the 23rd, the United States is seeking to rewrite its defense agreement with Denmark, demanding the removal of any restrictions on its military presence in Greenland. This has become a focal issue for negotiators attempting to satisfy President Trump’s demands for control over the territory.

The report states that U.S. negotiators hope to amend the wording of the agreement to ensure that the U.S. faces no restrictions when formulating military plans. The original agreement was signed in 1951 and revised in 2004, requiring the U.S. to "consult and notify" Denmark and Greenland before making "any major changes" to its military operations or facilities in Greenland. Citing informed sources, the report notes that the U.S. side wishes to completely delete this restrictive clause.

According to Xinhua News Agency and Denmark’s public broadcaster on the 23rd, Danish soldiers recently deployed to Greenland have carried large amounts of live ammunition and received clear instructions: in the worst-case scenario, should the U.S. unexpectedly attack Greenland, Denmark would immediately engage in combat. In an interview on Thursday, Trump stated that the U.S. would obtain "all the military access rights we want." He said, "Basically, this is full access, with no endpoint and no time limit." White House spokesperson Anna Kelly stated that if the agreement is reached, the U.S. will "achieve all its strategic objectives in Greenland permanently at extremely low cost."

This move could resolve what has been described as the most serious threat the transatlantic alliance has faced since NATO was founded after World War II. In exchange, Trump has reportedly promised not to impose tariffs on European countries.

U.S. Side Seeks Full Autonomy

According to reports, U.S. negotiators are seeking to rephrase key clauses in the 1951 defense agreement. Currently, the agreement requires the U.S. to consult Denmark and Greenland before making significant military changes in Greenland, but the U.S. wishes to ensure it faces "no restrictions whatsoever" when making plans. Media outlets cite informed sources as saying that the details of the agreement are still under negotiation.

After meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, Trump announced a "framework for a future agreement" regarding Greenland, but did not provide details. On his return from Davos on Thursday, he told reporters that whether Denmark agrees will be announced "within two weeks." Trump added, "We will work with NATO to complete some parts of this, as it should be."

White House spokesperson Kelly stated, "As details are finalized by all parties, relevant information will be released at the appropriate time." The Danish Embassy in Washington declined to comment.

This agreement would reverse decades of sharply reduced U.S. military presence in Greenland since the end of the Cold War. The number of U.S. bases in the territory has shrunk from a peak of 17 to a single base, which currently hosts about 150 military personnel and more than 300 contractors, many of whom are Danish or Greenlandic citizens.

Denmark Responds Cautiously But Openly

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told reporters on Thursday before the EU leaders’ summit in Brussels that Denmark and Greenland are open to "further expanding" the 1951 defense treaty, but did not reveal specific details.

"Of course, this must be done in an appropriate and respectful manner. We are now looking into whether we can achieve that," Frederiksen said.

In reality, the current agreement imposes very few restrictions on the U.S., and Denmark and Greenland have encouraged the U.S. to strengthen its military presence locally for many years. Iris Ferguson, who served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Arctic and Global Resilience Affairs during the Biden Administration, said: "Whenever we request meetings on certain topics, the other side is always willing to discuss." She added that Greenland hopes the U.S. strengthens its military presence, as related contracts support the local economy.

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