Trump announces deal with Denmark giving US 'permanent control over security' in Greenland

President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he has reached an agreement with Denmark to increase U.S. military presence in Greenland, following months of threats to take control of the island by force. The deal, which is expected to be signed by three governments during the United Nations General Assembly, will grant the United States "permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland," addressing all U.S. concerns in the region.

Trump stated that his administration would "immediately" begin the process of developing a larger military presence on the mineral-rich territory. Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's office confirmed the deal, emphasizing that it respects the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and self-determination of both Greenland and Denmark.

The agreement comes after Trump's tenure in the White House, during which he advocated for Denmark to sell the island to the U.S., despite Greenland's status as a NATO ally. The U.S. initiative to bolster its presence in Greenland has faced opposition from Russia and much of Europe, but Trump expressed optimism about the future of this strategic parcel of land, vowing to be "very protective" of it.