Trump announces ‘permanent’ US security control over Greenland after months of annexation threats

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Friday, September 18, announced a first-of-its-kind security agreement with Denmark and Greenland that allegedly allows the United States “permanent control over security, and all other needs” on the Arctic island.

This follows months of threats by Trump to acquire Greenland, including his earlier refusal to rule out military action to take control of the territory. Denmark and Greenland confirmed that an agreement is expected to be signed next week, while emphasizing that it preserves Danish sovereignty and Greenland’s right to self-determination.

Trump says deal gives US permanent security authority in Greenland

Trump announced the agreement in a post on Truth Social stating that the deal would permanently address US national security concerns in Greenland and prevent American adversaries from establishing a military foothold there.

“I am pleased to announce that the United States of America has entered into an Agreement with The Kingdom of Denmark, and Greenland," the 80-year-old wrote, "that gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing all of our many US concerns.”

Trump said the agreement comes at “no cost” to the US and described it as an “Infinite Life’ Agreement, there is no end!”

The president said the arrangement would prevent any US adversary from establishing a base or military presence on Greenland or making sensitive investments there without written approval from the US.

A State Department official said the agreement would prohibit non-NATO military bases and include screening mechanisms intended to prevent Russia, China, and other adversaries from making investments that could potentially threaten the US security in the future.

Trump also said the US would begin developing a larger military presence on Greenland. “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,” he wrote.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio also described the agreement as addressing Washington’s security concerns. “Greenland will forever be part of the strategic defense area of North America and exclude any adversary from it and the surrounding area,” he said. 

Denmark, Greenland stress sovereignty as deal follows annexation threats

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that the agreement would strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic while maintaining the existing political status of Greenland.

“An agreement that strengthens our common security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic area and is therefore also good for NATO and Europe. And an agreement that at the same time recognizes the Kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination,” Frederiksen said.

Frederiksen’s government said that the three parties expect to sign the agreement during next week’s United Nations General Assembly in New York. The deal will still have to go through the necessary parliamentary procedures before it enters into force.

The chairman of the Greenland government, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said that the arrangement would strengthen security while recognizing Greenland’s interests. “It is gratifying that we are about to enter into an agreement that recognizes Greenland’s interests and our place in international cooperation,” Nielsen said. “It is for the benefit of us all.”

The agreement follows months of tensions after Trump repeatedly argued that Greenland was strategically important to US national security because of its location, mineral resources, and the possibility of Russian or Chinese activity in the Arctic. Trump previously said the United States could take Greenland “one way or the other” and had declined to rule out military action.