Trump Secures Permanent U.S. Control Of Greenland Security In Deal With Denmark

U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States has reached an agreement with Denmark and Greenland granting Washington "permanent control" over Greenland’s security and "all other needs" in the Arctic territory.

“grants the United States permanent control over Greenland’s security”

ABC

Trump also said the deal is open-ended, writing that the United States will "FOREVER have the complete ability to do what is necessary in Greenland," and that his administration will "immediately" begin developing a larger military presence there.

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ABC News & Headlines reported that Trump’s announcement places Washington in charge of authorizing any foreign military presence and opens the door to a significant deployment of American troops in Greenland.

The BBC said the agreement resolves a diplomatic dispute sparked by Trump’s threats to take the territory by force, with Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen confirming the pact will be signed during the United Nations General Assembly next week.

The BBC added that the text of the agreement has not yet been published, even as Trump’s social media post described it as having "no cost to the United States" and no expiration date.

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the agreement "recognises the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Greenland and Denmark and upholds both peoples’ right to "self-determination," while also saying parliamentary action is still needed before it can be enforced.

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the emerging deal "recognises Greenland’s interests and our place in the international cooperation," as the BBC reported that he described it as "gratifying to be close to closing a pact" that reinforces security.

ABC

Trump’s post said "no U.S. adversary" would be allowed to maintain a military presence in Greenland or to "conduct sensitive investments in Greenland without the express written approval" of the White House.

The BBC reported that a U.S. State Department official described provisions including "permanent access rights, establishment of bases, and overflight" rights, and that the pact prohibits non-NATO countries from building bases in Greenland.

The BBC also said the official described a clause that the agreement would not lose its validity even if Greenland were to become an independent country in the future.

The BBC reported that the United States already has more than 100 military personnel permanently stationed at its Pituffik base in northwestern Greenland, and that Pituffik plays a key role in the U.S. early-warning system to detect missile attacks.

“more than 100 military personnel permanently stationed at its Pituffik base”

BBC

ABC News & Headlines said Trump’s announcement would "immediately" begin developing a larger military presence in Greenland, while the BBC said the agreement includes the unilateral power for the United States to construct additional military infrastructure without needing Greenland or Denmark’s approval.

CNN Arabic quoted Trump saying the United States will "immediately begin a rapid development process for a large military presence" in Greenland and that the arrangement is an "eternal" agreement with "no end in sight."

The BBC said the agreement also prohibits adversaries’ investments in Greenland that could pose a threat to the United States, with the State Department official specifically mentioning Russia and China.

In the same BBC account, Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the pact a "historic agreement" and said it "permanently and comprehensively addresses our national security concerns in Greenland."