Trump signs 'Graham sanctioning Russia act'

On Friday, US President Donald Trump announced the United States reached an "Infinite Life" agreement with Denmark and Greenland, granting America permanent control over Greenland's security. This agreement forbids any adversaries of the United States from establishing a military presence in Greenland, according to Trump. He emphasized that the deal has no end and will not cost the United States anything.

Trump expressed great pride in the agreement, stating that everything agreed to today will be cherished by the American People.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen clarified that the deal does not grant the United States complete sovereignty over Greenland. Instead, it is described as an arrangement that enhances shared security in the Arctic and North Atlantic, while respecting the Greenlandic people's right to self-determination. The three nations are expected to sign the deal at the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week, though the official wording has not been released yet.

America already has near total basing and overflight rights on Greenland under a treaty signed in 1951. Trump announced the agreement with Denmark to secure "permanent" control over Greenland's security, highlighting the island's strategic importance for monitoring missile activity from Russia and supporting early-warning capabilities for the proposed "Golden Dome" missile defense system.

The Golden Dome project aims to detect, track, and intercept ballistic, cruise, and hypersonic missiles targeting the US, with Greenland's location in the Arctic being crucial for this purpose.

The shortest route for a missile fired from Russia towards American cities passes over the North Pole, and Greenland sits almost exactly underneath this path. By increasing its access to Greenland, the United States can better position sensors, communications gear, and interceptors closer to the pole, enhancing its defense capabilities.

Currently, the Pituffik Space Base, located above the Arctic Circle, already serves as a radar that can monitor deep into Russia and across likely flight paths of Chinese missiles, providing valuable early warning to American decision-makers.

Beyond its strategic significance, Greenland also holds substantial mineral resources, estimated at 36 million tonnes of rare earth resources, along with graphite, copper, nickel, zinc, and tungsten. China currently produces about 60% of the world's rare earths and controls 85% of processing capacity, making the discovery of alternative sources vital for Western governments.

The Tanbreez project in southern Greenland, which is 92.5% owned by Critical Metals, is the most advanced project, with full construction expected in spring 2027.