US President Donald Trump said that the United States has reached a deal with Denmark to strengthen the American military presence in Greenland, ending months of tension over his repeated calls to acquire the Arctic island.

 

The agreement leaves Greenland under Denmark’s sovereignty while giving the US what Trump described as a larger security role. In a social media post, Trump said the agreement gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing all of US concerns. 

 

Denmark said the agreement will be signed by the governments of the US, Denmark and Greenland next week during the United Nations General Assembly, although it will still need parliamentary approval in Denmark and Greenland before it can take effect. Danish and Greenlandic leaders said the deal protects sovereignty and self-determination, while the US presented it as a major national security gain.

 

Since returning to the White House last year, Trump has pressed Denmark to sell Greenland to the US, arguing that the island is vital to American security. He had also refused to rule out taking it by military force, even though Denmark is a NATO ally. Denmark and Greenland repeatedly said the island was not for sale and criticised reports that the US was gathering intelligence there. Russia and much of Europe also strongly opposed the US push.