Denmark and Greenland leaders cautiously optimistic after security deal with U.S.

September 19, 2026 / 9:13 AM EDT / CBS/AP

Denmark and Greenland's leaders appeared cautiously optimistic a day after President Trump announced a new security deal that would bolster U.S. military presence in a NATO ally's semiautonomous territory.

Mr. Trump announced on Friday he struck a deal to give the U.S. "permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many U.S. concerns."

Denmark and the U.S. already have a long-standing security agreement that has allowed the U.S. to deploy forces in Greenland, and it was not immediately clear how this deal was different.

The agreement is expected to be signed in New York City on Tuesday when world leaders will be in town for the United Nations General Assembly, two U.S. officials told CBS News.

However, the office of Denmark's prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said parliamentary action is still needed by the Danish and Greenland governments before it can be enforced.

"Next week could be a good week … for Greenland, Denmark, and the United States alike," Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen wrote in an Instagram post Saturday morning.

"A period of uncertainty will hopefully be replaced by a binding agreement that…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/