Danish citizens are expressing cautious optimism about a potential agreement with the United States concerning Greenland, with hopes for a "sustainable deal" while being wary of the specifics involved. Benny Madsen, a 61-year-old independent advisor in Copenhagen, shared his thoughts with Reuters on September 19, stating, "It’s great that the parties have reached an agreement. I hope this is a good and sustainable deal with President Donald Trump." This sentiment comes a day after Trump announced a deal granting the U.S. "permanent control" over Greenland's security.

President Trump described the agreement as a means to address "all concerns" of Washington. He emphasized that "no adversary of the U.S." would be allowed to establish bases, deploy military forces, or undertake sensitive investments in Greenland without written approval from Washington. Madsen expressed some apprehension, noting, "Of course, I’m a bit worried because I don’t know what the specific agreement entails. It seems the U.S. has rights and seemingly obligations to maintain defense forces in Greenland as it has done since World War II. I think that is good and acceptable."

As discussions unfold, many Danes remain cautious. Kathrine Rasmussen, a lawyer, remarked, "Typically, when President Trump claims he has a deal, you have to scrutinize the details to fully understand it. It would be nice if we could end these debates and move forward." Meanwhile, Steffen Nielsen, a 49-year-old businessman, believes the agreement could lead to a more stable situation, expressing hope that parties will focus on resolving differences instead of continuing disputes.

Contrarily, content manager Jakob Pedersen, 36, disagrees with the deal, stating that Denmark shares few values and perspectives with President Trump, suggesting that the agreement may not receive widespread support among the Nordic population. IT specialist Soren, 52, hopes for a clear and long-lasting agreement, while acknowledging that adjustments may be needed over time. "I wouldn’t be surprised if we have to take a step back before we can move two steps forward. I think that’s the general situation right now," Soren commented.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen indicated that the agreement between Denmark, Greenland, and the U.S. to bolster security on the autonomous island is "good for NATO and Europe." She added that the document is expected to be signed on the sidelines of the upcoming UN General Assembly in the U.S. Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen expressed hope that a long period of uncertainty would be replaced by a binding agreement that strengthens security in the Arctic and North Atlantic, while respecting Denmark’s "red lines."

Greenland, the world’s largest island, is strategically located between the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, making it a key area for Washington. With a population of 57,000 and an area of approximately 2.16 million square kilometers, the island is rich in mineral resources, particularly rare earth elements, which are crucial for key technology sectors. The U.S. and Denmark signed a defense treaty in 1951, updated in 2004, granting Washington extensive rights to use airspace and establish bases in Greenland, leading to the creation of the Thule Air Base, now known as the Pituffik Space Base in northern Greenland.

Marc Jacobsen, a researcher at the Royal Danish Defence College, believes the agreement seems beneficial for all three parties involved. He stated, "President Trump achieves what he desires, which is to showcase his negotiation skills as a successful businessman, pushing Denmark and Greenland towards an agreement." For Greenland, a significant victory would be receiving additional economic support linked to the U.S. military expansion on the island. Jacobsen concluded that Denmark has demonstrated itself as a good partner to both Washington and Nuuk.