Trump, Denmark reach deal to expand US military presence in Greenland

US President Donald Trump said Friday on social media that Washington and Denmark have reached an agreement to strengthen the US military presence in Greenland. According to Trump, the deal gives the United States "permanent control over security, and all other needs" on the island, fully addressing American concerns. He added that his administration would "immediately" begin building a larger military footprint on the mineral-rich Danish territory.

The office of Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the agreement will be signed by three governments next week during the United Nations General Assembly, but it still needs approval from the Danish and Greenlandic parliaments before taking effect. In her statement, Frederiksen said the deal "recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of both Greenland and Denmark and upholds each people's right to self-determination.

Months of tension

Since returning to the White House last year, Trump has repeatedly called on Denmark to sell Greenland to the United States, arguing the island is vital to American security. He has pointedly refused to rule out taking it by military force, despite Denmark being a NATO ally. Denmark and Greenland have consistently said the island is not for sale and have condemned reports of US intelligence-gathering activity there. Russia and much of Europe have also opposed Washington's push for greater control over the territory.

Still, Trump's Friday post suggested an understanding had been reached that could defuse what Denmark had viewed as an existential threat. "We look forward to working with the wonderful people of Denmark and Greenland toward a magnificent future with respect to this large, and highly strategic, parcel of land," Trump wrote, adding that the US "will be very protective of it."