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United States President Donald Trump has announced an agreement with Denmark granting the US permanent control over Greenland’s security.
Trump made the announcement in a post on Truth Social on Friday, saying the agreement would allow Washington to take whatever action it considers necessary to secure Greenland and the United States.
He said the agreement would also prevent US adversaries from establishing military bases or maintaining a military presence in Greenland, or making sensitive investments on the island, without Washington’s approval.
Trump said the United States would immediately begin developing a larger military presence in Greenland.
“We will work with the people of Greenland in its development and construction,” he said.
The US president described the arrangement as an “Infinite Life” agreement, saying it would have no end and would cost the United States nothing.
“For over 100 years, Presidents have known the strategic importance of Greenland, but NONE of them were able to do anything about it,” Trump said.
The announcement follows months of tension over Trump’s interest in expanding US control over Greenland, including previous calls for the United States to acquire the territory.
Reuters reported before the announcement that negotiations were focused on expanding the US military presence while stopping short of transferring Greenland to American control.
Danish and Greenlandic officials have said the agreement is expected to be formally signed next week at the United Nations General Assembly and will require parliamentary procedures before it takes effect.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the agreement recognises the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination.
The agreement would instead deepen Washington’s military and security role on the strategically located Arctic island, which already hosts a US military installation at Pituffik Space Base.
