WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said that Washington has reached an agreement with Denmark and Greenland granting the United States “permanent control” over security matters in the Arctic territory, while Danish officials said the deal would preserve Greenland’s sovereignty.
Trump said the arrangement would prevent Russia and China from establishing military bases or making sensitive investments in Greenland, a strategically important territory located between North America and Europe.
Terms remain unclear
The US president announced the deal on his Truth Social platform, saying it would give Washington control over Greenland’s security and allow the United States to expand its military presence in the territory.
However, details of the agreement have not been released. Denmark and Greenland said the arrangement recognises Denmark’s sovereignty and Greenland’s right to self-determination.
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Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the agreement acknowledged the “sovereignty and territorial integrity” of the Kingdom of Denmark while respecting Greenlandic interests.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the deal would strengthen the territory’s security.
Arctic security concerns
Trump has repeatedly highlighted Greenland’s strategic importance since returning to the White House, arguing that increased Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic makes greater US involvement necessary.
A US State Department official said the agreement would prevent China and Russia from establishing military footholds in Greenland and create mechanisms to restrict sensitive investments.
Greenland, with a population of about 57,000 people, is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. The United States already operates the Pituffik Space Base in northern Greenland under existing defence agreements.
NATO implications
The announcement follows months of tensions between Washington, Copenhagen and Nuuk over Greenland’s security future.
A 1951 defence agreement, updated in 2004, already allows the United States to increase troop deployments and military facilities on the island after consultation with Denmark and Greenland.
Reports have suggested Washington is considering additional military facilities in Greenland, although the exact details of the new agreement remain uncertain.
The issue has also drawn wider NATO attention as Arctic competition increases amid changing global security dynamics.
