Denmark says Greenland sovereignty safe under Trump’s deal

COPENHAGEN: Denmark affirmed on Saturday that its sovereignty over Greenland would not be jeopardized by a proposed deal with the Trump administration, which aims to allow a substantial increase in US military presence in the Arctic territory. While the specific terms of the agreement, such as the extent of US military expansion and whether formal authority over foreign policy and resources would be relinquished to Washington, remain undisclosed, Danish and Greenlandic officials have expressed optimism about the forthcoming agreement.

Denmark and Greenland hope that the deal, expected to be signed during the upcoming UN General Assembly next week, would put an end to the months of uncertainty following President Trump's threats to seize control of Greenland. Trump had stated on Truth Social that the US would have "complete ability" to "do what is necessary" in Greenland for the security of both the island and the US.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen assured the public that the agreement would uphold Greenland's right to self-determination and the sovereignty of the Danish kingdom.

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated that the proposed deal "recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our Kingdom and the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination." Meanwhile, Trump's proposal for a deal in Greenland grants the US "permanent control" over security and all other needs in the territory, preventing any adversary from establishing a base or military presence there without Washington's approval.

Political science professor Mikkel Vedby Rasmussen from the University of Copenhagen noted that if Denmark cedes formal authority to the US, it could potentially mark the transition from a colonial relationship with Denmark to one with the US. This potential shift has raised concerns among some Greenlandic residents, such as retired chef Marianne Hansen, who cautioned that Trump should stay away from Greenland and that the children and grandchildren of its residents should not become Americans in the future.