Buy Greenland? Take It? Why? An Old Pact Already Gives Trump a Free Hand.
Analysts say the Cold War agreement allows the president to increase the American military presence almost at will.
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https://static01.nyt.com/images/2026/01/07/multimedia/07int-greenland-defense-1-fwgv/07int-greenland-defense-1-fwgv-jumbo.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp 1024w,https://static01.nyt.com/images/2026/01/07/multimedia/07int-greenland-defense-1-fwgv/07int-greenland-defense-1-fwgv-superJumbo.jpg?quality=75&auto=webp 2048w" alt="A rusty, collapsed metal structure rests on barren ground with patches of white snow. Behind it, a blue body of water with ice floes is bordered by snow-capped mountains." width="600" height="450" />Jan. 7, 2026Updated 7:57 a.m. ET
President Trump has ridiculed Denmark’s dog sled teams in Greenland.
He has cited mysterious Chinese and Russian ships prowling off the coast.
He seems increasingly fixated on the idea that the United States should take over this gigantic icebound island, with one official saying the president wants to buy it and another suggesting that the United States could simply take it. Just a few days ago, Mr. Trump said: “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security.”
But the question is: Does the United States even need to buy Greenland — or do something more drastic — to accomplish all of Mr. Trump’s goals?
Under a little-known Cold War agreement, the United States already enjoys sweeping military access in Greenland. Right now, the United States has one base in a very remote corner of the island. But the agreement allows it to “construct, install, maintain, and operate” military bases across Greenland, “house personnel” and “control landings, takeoffs, anchorages, moorings, movements, and operation of ships, aircraft, and waterborne craft.”
It was signed in 1951 by the United States and Denmark, which colonized Greenland more than 300 years ago and still controls some of its affairs.
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