- The United States, Denmark, and Greenland have entered into an agreement that will see the US develop a significant military presence on the island, while prohibiting US adversaries from building their own bases there, Donald Trump said on Friday.
- In a Truth Social post, the US president wrote that no US enemies would be able to make sensitive investments on the island without the approval of the United States and that the agreement had no expiry date.
- Greenland and Denmark issued a joint statement on Friday saying an agreement with the U.S. is expected to be signed next week during the high-level summit of the United Nations General Assembly.
- Greenland's and Denmark's parliaments will also have to approve the agreement, the statement read.
- Earlier on Friday, Reuters exclusively reported that the US and Greenland were closing in on a deal for the island that would result in an increased US military presence, but would stop well short of Trump's long-held dream of acquiring the island for the United States.
- Trump said the deal gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many U.S. concerns.
- Greenland has maintained it is not for sale, and the European Union earlier this year united to rebuke Trump over his push to acquire the island.
President Donald Trump announced a significant military rights agreement with Denmark and Greenland, enhancing U.S. military presence on the island while barring adversaries from establishing bases or making sensitive investments. The agreement, which has no expiration date, is expected to be signed at the UN General Assembly next week.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump emphasized that the deal guarantees permanent control over security in Greenland, stating, "At my direction, we worked with representatives of Denmark and Greenland to guarantee that the United States will FOREVER have the complete ability to do what is necessary in Greenland in order to secure and defend the security of Greenland, and the United States of America."2
The agreement also stipulates that no U.S. adversary can have a military presence or make sensitive investments in Greenland without U.S. approval. Trump claimed, "There will be NO COST to the United States," indicating a favorable arrangement for the U.S.
Greenland's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen noted that the deal recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom and the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination, stating, "It is gratifying that we are about to enter into an agreement that ensures and strengthens the security of Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark, the United States and the Western alliance."
The agreement is expected to be approved by the parliaments of Greenland and Denmark, further solidifying the U.S. role in Arctic security.3
The deal outlined by Trump appears to fall short of his previous desire to acquire Greenland, which has been firmly rejected by its government. However, Trump expressed satisfaction with the new arrangement, claiming it addresses "ALL of our many U.S. concerns."
“The deal, which Trump says gives the US 'permanent control over security' in Greenland, stops short of his long-held goal of acquiring the island. Greenland and Denmark's parliaments must still approve the agreement, and the official text has not been released.”
