The discussed agreement, which became known on January 21 thanks to Trump, stipulates that Denmark will remain the sovereign owner of Greenland. According to Axios, sources claim that the plan was developed during a meeting between Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. As part of this plan, the Agreement on the Protection of Greenland, signed in 1951, will be updated: the US will gain expanded opportunities for building military bases and creating "defense zones." There will also be the possibility of deploying elements of the "Iron Dome" air defense system, which Trump mentioned.
According to Axios, the agreement also includes joint development of Greenland's natural resources with Denmark.
The publication emphasizes that Rutte's proposals reflect Denmark's long-standing ideas: the island remains under its control while the US expands its military presence.
As reported by The Telegraph, the deal proposed by Trump does not include the purchase of Greenland. Sources claim that the US is interested in establishing sovereign control over certain military bases on the island.
Meanwhile, the British Daily Mail reports that the Trump administration is considering the possibility of paying each resident of Greenland one million dollars if they vote to join the US. Given that the island's population is about 57,000 people, the total payout could reach 57 billion dollars.
The publication describes this idea as an alternative way to strengthen the American military presence in the region.
Denmark's position on Greenland remains unchanged: Copenhagen rejects any proposals for the sale or transfer of the island, emphasizing that any decisions regarding its status must be made with the consent of the Danish side.
“This will not happen. The US will not own Greenland. This is a red line,” said Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen in an interview with DR.
Since Trump's return to the White House, the US has intensified its claims on Greenland. This rhetoric intensified in January 2026 after President Nicolás Maduro seized power in Venezuela. Trump claims that Greenland is important for US national security due to threats from Russia and China, insisting that Denmark cannot ensure the island's protection. Against the backdrop of these statements, eight European countries sent military contingents to Greenland, to which Trump responded with threats of imposing tariffs. On January 21, Trump delivered a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he stated that he does not intend to use force; however, the US still intends to acquire Greenland. He later added that the tariffs scheduled for February 1 would not be implemented.
