The agreement, signed in New York on Sept. 23, permits the United States to expand its military footprint on the island by reactivating the Cold‑War‑era installations at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, and promises potential spending and employment opportunities for the territory’s 57,000 inhabitants.
Greenlandic MP Naaja Nathanielsen, who sits in the Danish parliament, told Reuters she was “incredibly relieved” and considered the outcome “very sensible,” adding that the United States has long maintained a presence in Greenland and that the deal does not constitute the annexation demand that Trump made earlier this year.
Parliament speaker Kim Kielsen called on households to raise the Greenlandic flag on Wednesday, while activist and influencer Orla Joelsen urged residents in Nuuk to gather at the airport to welcome the prime minister and foreign minister returning from the negotiations.
The United States first built military facilities in Greenland during World War II and operated 17 installations with more than 10,000 personnel throughout the Cold War. Today only the Pituffik Space Base remains, staffed by about 150 U.S. service members.
Retired ship assistant Pitanguaq Mikissen, 69, said the prospect of reopening old bases “gives greater security” to Greenlanders, but not everyone shares his optimism. Voice‑teacher Jensia Dam‑Davidsen, 40, warned that Trump’s rhetoric had created “a lot of worry and fear” and called the deal “wrong in every way,” especially as Denmark has also increased its own military presence.
Denmark has bolstered its Arctic defence since the Trump threat, deploying additional troops, raising defence spending, and hosting allied exercises. Kujalleq mayor Malene Vahl Rasmussen stressed that any U.S. expansion must respect the “Greenlandic way of life” and protect hunting and fishing grounds that sustain local communities.
While the pact stops short of annexation, officials acknowledge that rebuilding trust will be essential. The agreement explicitly states that increased aircraft and vessel traffic must not disrupt traditional livelihoods, a clause that will be closely monitored as the United States moves to reactivate the bases amid growing Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic.