ICYMI: Rep. Steube’s Op-Ed Highlights President Trump’s Historic Greenland Security Deal

October 05, 2026 | Press Releases ICYMI: Rep. Steube’s Op-Ed Highlights President Trump’s Historic Greenland Security Deal WASHINGTON— U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) penned an opinion piece in the Washington Times highlighting President Trump’s historic security agreement on Greenland and the importance of strengthening America’s position in the Arctic as Russia and China seek to expand their influence in the region. Read the opinion piece below and in the Washington Times . Trump’s Arctic Plan Pays Off: A Security Win in Greenland By Rep. Greg Steube This past week, President Trump again proved that he is the dealmaker-in-chief by securing a new security deal for Greenland. When the President first raised his desire to renegotiate U.S. access to basing, overflight, and other security parameters for the world’s largest island, those who disagreed accused him of wanting to invade NATO territory. Once again, the President’s style of negotiating has proven the critics wrong and has advanced American security interests. The Arctic region is strategically critical to U.S. national security. It is no secret that our adversaries are expanding their missions in the great north while the U.S. has focused attention on other areas of the world. The Arctic is the last truly unconquered frontier, one that has been in a state of geopolitical stalemate for centuries. In recent years, however, Russia has begun a significant build-up in the region, with reports estimating that the Federation operates several times the number of permanent bases the U.S. maintains there. China has also sought to establish a robust foothold in the Arctic. In 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated his intention to make China a “polar great power.” Greenland is an epicenter of great power competition for several key reasons, including potential new shipping lanes around the island and space domain awareness afforded by both the latitude and lack of light pollution. The U.S. already has a presence on Greenland with Pituffik Space Base, which maintains critical capabilities such as early-warning systems for ICBMs and plays a large role in transatlantic air traffic, hosting thousands of flights each year. Beyond its location, the island also holds vast supplies of the critical minerals needed for the economy of today and tomorrow. According to some reports, Greenland holds over thirty-five of the fifty minerals our government deems critical. The final agreement signed on Tuesday, September 22, will establish new architecture that will allow for greater U.S. basing access and will bar non-NATO nations from establishing their own bases or making investments on the island that threaten our security. The agreement is also being hailed by all the leaders involved, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it a “historic agreement [that] permanently guarantees U.S. security interests in the Arctic at zero cost to the U.S. taxpayer,” and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen saying the deal “strengthens our common security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic Area.” Against the odds and over the loud objections of the Beltway class, President Trump has proven once again that America can secure deals that put Americans first and provide for global security. As he has long said and proven, the two are not separate and should not be treated as such. This agreement is a testament to the strength of our alliances and partnerships, and it will provide for the common defense for decades to come. ###