On January 21, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new agreement regarding Greenland, which is expected to preserve Denmark's sovereignty over the island. This was reported by Axios, citing two informed sources.
According to information obtained from the sources, the plan was discussed at a meeting between Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. It includes updating the 1951 defense treaty for Greenland, which would allow the U.S. to significantly expand its rights to build military bases and create "defense zones." Under this agreement, the United States would also be able to deploy air defense elements known as the "Iron Dome" on the island, which Trump had previously mentioned.
Additionally, Axios sources report that the agreement includes joint projects with Denmark for the development of Greenland's natural resources.
The publication notes that the proposed ideas from Rutte reflect a long-standing Danish proposal, under which Denmark retains control over the island while the U.S. gains the opportunity to increase its military presence in the region.
According to The Telegraph, the deal proposed by Trump does not involve the purchase of Greenland. Instead, the U.S. aims to establish control over military bases in certain areas of the island.
Meanwhile, according to the British Daily Mail, the Trump administration is considering the possibility of paying each resident of Greenland one million dollars in the event of support for the idea of joining the U.S. Given that Greenland's population is about 57,000, the total payout could reach 57 billion dollars.
According to the publication, this approach could be seen as an alternative to strengthening the American military presence in the region.
Denmark, for its part, assures that its position regarding Greenland remains unchanged: Copenhagen does not consider the possibility of transferring or selling the island, emphasizing that any decisions about its status require consent from Denmark.
“This will not happen. The U.S. will not rule 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 U.S. has become more vocal about its interests in Greenland. This rhetoric intensified in January 2026 after President Nicolás Maduro seized power in Venezuela. Trump claims that Greenland is important for U.S. national security in light of threats from Russia and China, and emphasizes that Denmark, which manages the island, is unable to ensure its protection. Against this backdrop, eight European countries sent their troops to Greenland, after which Trump threatened to impose tariffs on their goods. On January 21, he delivered a keynote speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, stating that he does not intend to use force, but the U.S. continues to insist on obtaining Greenland. Later, Trump added that the tariffs scheduled for February 1 would not be implemented.
