Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also said the agreement would strengthen security while recognising Greenland’s interests.

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has announced an agreement with Denmark and Greenland that would significantly expand the US military presence on the Arctic island while leaving Greenland under Danish sovereignty.

Trump said the agreement gives the United States “permanent control” over Greenland’s security and allows Washington to address its long-term national security concerns.

He also said the US would immediately begin preparations to develop a larger military presence in Greenland.

However, the full details of the agreement have not yet been made public. Danish and Greenlandic officials have stressed that the deal recognises Greenland’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while parliamentary approval is still required before it can take effect.

What Does the Greenland Deal Mean?

According to Trump, the agreement would give the United States long-term access to Greenland for security and defence purposes.

A US State Department official said the agreement would prevent non-NATO countries from establishing military bases in Greenland and restrict sensitive investments by US adversaries.

The agreement would also provide the United States with permanent access, basing and overflight rights, according to the official cited by Reuters.

The exact scope of the new arrangements remains unclear because the agreement has not yet been publicly released in full.

Greenland Will Remain Under Danish Sovereignty

Despite Trump’s description of the agreement, the deal does not transfer Greenland to the United States.

Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly said that Greenland is not for sale. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the agreement recognises the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination.

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also said the agreement would strengthen security while recognising Greenland’s interests.

The agreement is expected to be signed next week during the United Nations General Assembly, but parliamentary action in Denmark and Greenland will be required before it becomes enforceable.

Why Is Greenland Important to the United States?

Greenland occupies a strategically important position between North America and Europe.

The island is also important for Arctic defence, missile warning, space surveillance and control of North Atlantic routes.

The United States already operates Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland. The facility supports missile warning, missile defence and space surveillance operations for the US and NATO.

The US military presence on the island dates back to the Second World War and expanded significantly during the Cold War.

The Arctic has also become increasingly important because of growing strategic competition involving the United States, Russia and China.

A Different Arrangement From Trump’s Earlier Demand

Trump had previously called for the United States to acquire Greenland and had refused to rule out the use of force to obtain it.

Denmark and Greenland rejected those demands and maintained that the island was not for sale.

The new agreement is therefore significantly different from outright US ownership. Greenland remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark, while Washington is seeking expanded military and security rights on the island.

Reuters reported that the United States already has extensive military access under a 1951 defence agreement with Denmark. Analysts have therefore questioned how much the new arrangement changes the existing security framework.

What Happens Next?

The agreement is expected to be formally signed during the UN General Assembly next week.

After that, Danish and Greenlandic parliamentary procedures will be necessary before the agreement can be implemented.

For now, the key issue is how the final agreement defines US military access, new facilities, investment restrictions and the role of Denmark and Greenland in approving future American activities.

The announcement marks a major shift from the earlier dispute over US demands to acquire Greenland toward a negotiated security arrangement.

But with the full text still unavailable, the precise extent of America’s new authority on the strategically important Arctic island remains to be seen.