US Offers New Format to Greenland Without Use of Force

According to Bloomberg, citing sources from the Trump administration, the United States plans to revise the 1951 defense agreement with Denmark to remove restrictions on its military presence in Greenland and preserve the island's sovereignty. Under the current version of the agreement, Washington is obligated to consult with Danish and Greenlandic authorities before conducting operations, carrying out exercises, or expanding military bases.

Now, according to Bloomberg, the White House wants to see those restrictions lifted. According to Axios, the United States is also expected to be able to deploy elements of the Iron Dome air defense system in Greenland.

Danish authorities have already announced their willingness to review the agreement, but specific details have yet to be released. Sources informed The New York Times that another possible provision in the updated agreement could be a ban on the extraction of rare metals in Greenland by countries that are not NATO members. This measure would primarily impact Russia and China.

Politico previously reported that the White House is preparing a draft of a Compact of Free Association that Donald Trump could propose to the authorities of Greenland, bypassing Copenhagen if Denmark refuses to compromise. Under such an agreement, American military personnel could be granted full freedom of action on the island in exchange for duty-free trade.

Technically, Greenland's constitutional status as an autonomous territory within Denmark prohibits its authorities from signing a free association agreement without the consent of Copenhagen. According to the 2009 Greenland Self-Government Act, issues concerning foreign policy, defense, and security in the island fall under the jurisdiction of Danish authorities.