Trump: US and Denmark Reach Deal on Greenland Security
President Donald Trump announced the United States has reached an agreement with Denmark for "permanent security control" over Greenland, saying Washington will immediately begin building a major military presence on the island.
RastinewsPresident Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the United States and Denmark have reached an agreement giving Washington permanent control over Greenland's security. Trump said the process of establishing a large-scale military presence on the island would begin immediately. The deal comes at no cost to the United States, Trump said, adding that no country would be able to build a base on the island without American approval.
Trump said the agreement would cost the United States nothing.
In a post on social media, Trump said the two sides had finally reached an understanding after months of talks with Denmark and Greenland over security. "I am pleased to announce that the United States has signed an agreement with Denmark and Greenland granting the U.S. permanent control over Greenland's security needs, fully addressing America's concerns," Trump wrote.
Trump stressed that the deal would impose no financial burden on Washington. Under the agreement, the U.S. will effectively have the final say over the island's security without paying anything in return. Another notable detail in the post was a ban on foreign troop deployments.
Trump said the agreement was "indefinite."
Trump also outlined the steps that would follow the agreement. The U.S. will immediately begin building a large-scale military presence in strategically suitable areas of Greenland.
Trump continued:
"Also, from now on, no enemy of the United States will ever be able to establish a base in Greenland, maintain a military presence in Greenland, or make sensitive investments in Greenland without our explicit written approval."
Calling the agreement "indefinite," Trump said: "We will immediately begin the process of building a large-scale military presence in appropriate areas of Greenland."
Denmark has repeatedly insisted Greenland is not for sale, stressing the island's sovereign rights. The European Union, meanwhile, has prepared a new 200-million-euro investment package to expand its presence on the island and sought a larger representation in the capital, Nuuk. Today's security agreement stands out as the first concrete step following months of tension between the U.S. and Denmark.