United States President Donald Trump has announced a security agreement with Denmark that would give Washington a permanent role in protecting Greenland.
Trump announced the agreement in a post on Truth Social on Friday, saying it would allow the US to take what it considers necessary action to protect Greenland and the United States.
He said the agreement would also prevent US adversaries from establishing military bases, maintaining a military presence or making sensitive investments in Greenland without Washington’s approval.
Trump said the United States would immediately begin expanding its military presence on the strategically located Arctic island.
“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 Greenland, including previous calls for the United States to acquire the territory.
Reuters had reported before the announcement that negotiations focused on expanding the US military presence in Greenland without transferring the territory to American control.
Danish and Greenlandic officials said the agreement was expected to be formally signed the following week during the United Nations General Assembly and would require parliamentary procedures before taking effect.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the agreement recognises the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, as well as the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination.
Rather than transferring Greenland to the US, the agreement would deepen Washington’s military and security role on the island.
The US already operates a military installation at Pituffik Space Base in Greenland.
