Maggie's Farm

No, the United States does not have a formal leasing agreement with Denmark regarding Greenland. Instead, U.S. military presence and operations in Greenland (primarily at Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base) are governed by a long-standing defense agreement under the NATO framework.The key arrangement dates back to the 1951 Defense of Greenland Agreement (signed April 27, 1951, and effective June 8, 1951), between the U.S. and Denmark (as Greenland is Danish territory). This agreement allows the U.S. to establish and operate defense areas in Greenland to assist Denmark in its NATO obligations, while Denmark retains full sovereignty over the island. It provides the U.S. with broad rights to build, maintain, and use military facilities, including Pituffik Space Base, without applying Danish laws or taxation to U.S. personnel on the base.This has been updated over time, including amendments in 2004 (the Igaliku Agreement), which addressed environmental issues, consultations, and cooperation involving Greenland's Home Rule Government (now Self-Government). The base serves critical roles in missile warning, space surveillance, and Arctic security, with a small permanent U.S. presence (around 150 service members as of 2025).Unlike a lease (which typically involves rent payments for temporary use of land), this is a mutual defense pact tied to NATO membership—no direct payments for land use are involved, and the U.S. does not "rent" the territory. Historical wartime arrangements (e.g., 1941 agreement during WWII) were temporary and evolved into this permanent framework.Proposals for the U.S. to purchase or lease Greenland outright (notably revived by President Trump in 2019 and escalated in 2025–2026 with threats of force or other measures) have been repeatedly rejected by Denmark and Greenlandic authorities, who insist the island is not for sale and emphasize self-determination. As of January 2026, no such sale, long-term lease, or transfer of sovereignty has occurred, and the status remains under the existing defense agreement. Discussions in 2025–2026 focused on potential expanded cooperation or tensions, but the core legal basis is still the 1951 pact, not a lease.

No, there is no formal bilateral agreement between the United States and Denmark that grants the US specific mining rights in Greenland.Greenland, as an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, holds authority over its natural resources and mineral licensing under the 2009 Self-Government Act. This means the Greenlandic government (Naalakkersuisut) issues exploration and exploitation licenses for mining through its Mineral Resources Authority, open to international companies—including US firms—under Greenland's Mineral Resources Act. Denmark retains oversight on foreign affairs and defense but does not control mineral rights directly.Key points on US-Denmark/Greenland relations regarding mining:The primary framework is the 1951 Defense Agreement (updated in 2004 via the Igaliku Agreement), which focuses on military presence (e.g., Pituffik Space Base) and NATO-related cooperation. It does not include mining or resource extraction rights.
In 2019, during the first Trump administration, the US signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) directly with Greenland (not Denmark) to cooperate on surveying, scientific exchange, and developing rare earth and critical minerals. This MOU emphasized technical knowledge-sharing but did not grant exclusive rights or concessions. Efforts to renew it stalled under the Biden administration, and as of early 2026, it is nearing expiration with no new equivalent in place.
US companies can (and do) pursue mining opportunities through standard licensing processes. For example:US-backed or American-involved firms have explored or advanced projects like the Tanbreez rare earth deposit (sold to New York-based Critical Metals Corp in recent years, with US Export-Import Bank providing financing interest in 2025).
Discussions have occurred about potential investments, offtake agreements, or infrastructure support, but these are commercial or diplomatic engagements, not binding government-to-government mining rights agreements.

There is a profit-sharing mechanism between Greenland and Denmark: Greenland keeps initial revenues from mining, with excess shared (Denmark's share offsets its annual block grant to Greenland). This is internal to the Kingdom of Denmark and does not involve the US.
Amid renewed US interest in Greenland (including critical minerals for supply chain security against China), proposals in 2025–2026 have included ideas for expanded cooperation, special concessions, or revenue-sharing in hypothetical deals. However, no such mining-specific bilateral agreement with Denmark exists. Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly emphasized sovereignty, with mining licenses granted competitively (e.g., recent permits to European-backed consortia).

In summary, while the US has strong strategic and commercial interests in Greenland's minerals—and pathways exist for investment—no dedicated leasing, exclusive rights, or mining agreement with Denmark is currently in force. Any access occurs through Greenland's open licensing system or potential future partnerships, not a direct US-Denmark treaty on mining rights.