Greenland, Denmark say Trump deal won't compromise sovereignty

COPENHAGEN — Denmark and Greenland have confirmed on Saturday that any agreement with the United States would not undermine Greenland's sovereignty, following President Donald Trump's claim that the deal would grant Washington permanent control over the Arctic island's security, leaving the exact terms of the accord ambiguous. US, Danish, and Greenlandic officials announced late Friday that they had reached a pact for the US to develop a substantial military presence in Greenland, while simultaneously preventing US adversaries from constructing their own bases on the island.

Specifics regarding the magnitude of the US military footprint in the self-governing Danish territory and whether any formal authority over foreign policy and resources would be transferred to Washington remain undisclosed. Both Denmark and Greenland expressed optimism that a deal, anticipated to be signed during the UN General Assembly next week, would resolve months of uncertainty sparked by Trump's threats to assume control over Greenland.

Next week could be a positive development — for Greenland, Denmark, and the United States, remarked Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke.