US, Denmark reach deal over Greenland's security, Trump says

Trump claimed that the US would take 'permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland'Image: Odd Andersen/AFPAdvertisementUS President Donald Trump on Friday said that the US had reached an agreement with Denmark and Greenland giving Washington permanent military access to the Arctic island.

The Danish and Greenlandic governments also announced a breakthrough in negotiations, but stressed that the agreement respected Danish sovereignty over Greenland and the Greenlandic people's right to self-determination.

The agreement is expected to be signed next week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Trump said the deal would allow the United States to maintain a permanent security presence in Greenland.

"At my direction, we worked with representatives of Denmark and Greenland to guarantee that the United States will FOREVER have the complete ability to do what is necessary in Greenland in order to secure and defend the security of Greenland, and the United States of America," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

A US State Department official said the agreement gave Washington permanent access, basing and overflight rights and would prevent China and Russia from establishing military bases on the island.

Trump said the US would "immediately" begin expanding its military presence in Greenland.

Copenhagen emphasized a different aspect of the agreement, stressing that it did not alter Greenland's constitutional status.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the agreement recognized "the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom" as well as "the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination."

"I am pleased that there is a prospect of a good agreement for Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States," Frederiksen said, calling it "great for NATO and Europe."

Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also welcomed the breakthrough.

"It is gratifying that we are about to enter into an agreement that ensures and strengthens the security of Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark, the United States, and the Western alliance," Nielsen said.

He added that the agreement recognized "Greenland's interests and our place in the international cooperation."

Since returning to the White House last year, Trump has pressed Denmark to sell Greenland to the United States and even threatened to take it by force, insisting that the island is crucial for US security. 

Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly stated that the island is not for sale and have condemned reports of the US gathering intelligence there.

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