Trump claims security, military deal with Denmark over Greenland
President Trump said late Friday the U.S. has struck a deal with Denmark that will give America "permanent control over security" in Greenland. Why it matters: Control over Greenland has been a fixation of Trump's for years and a wedge in U.S. relations with Europe. Any such deal could potentially reduce tensions with the EU, though it's unclear how residents of the island itself will take to the…
President Trump announced late Friday that the United States and Denmark have reached an agreement that grants America permanent control over security and other matters in Greenland. This development is significant as Trump has long been fixated on securing Greenland and using it as a point of contention in U.S.-Europe relations. The deal could potentially ease tensions with the European Union, though the reaction of Greenlandic residents to the pact remains uncertain.
Trump stated on Truth Social: "I am pleased to announce that the United States of America has entered into an Agreement with The Kingdom of Denmark, and Greenland, that gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many U.S. concerns." He assured there would be "NO COST to the United States!"
The Associated Press reported Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen as saying the three nations would sign the deal in New York during the upcoming UN General Assembly. Trump's post did not detail the scale of the proposed U.S. military presence on Greenland, nor did he specify how extensive the control would be. However, he did hint at the U.S. possessing a veto power over other countries establishing military bases or sensitive investments on the island.
According to Fox News, based on an unnamed U.S. official, the agreement falls short of granting full sovereignty to Greenland but is intended to remain in effect even if the island were to become an independent state. Danish and Greenlandic leaders have repeatedly emphasized that Greenland is off-limits for sale. Currently, the U.S. already has military access to Greenland under a 1951 defense agreement with Denmark.
Previously, Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte discussed a Greenland framework in January, which temporarily quelled speculation about U.S. annexation of the island. Nonetheless, Trump's persistent desire to expand U.S. territory continues to surface during his second term.
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