DONALD Trump has said the US has secured “permanent control” over Greenland’s security under a new agreement with Denmark and the Arctic island.
The US president announced the deal on Friday after months of demanding control of Greenland and repeatedly refusing to rule out taking the territory by military force.
Trump said the agreement would give Washington permanent powers over security on the strategically important island, while allowing the US to dramatically expand its military presence there.
“The United States of America has entered into an Agreement with The Kingdom of Denmark, and Greenland, that gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland,” Trump said.
He claimed the agreement would “completely” address US concerns over the territory and said Washington would immediately begin developing a larger military presence.
Trump also said the deal would effectively give the US a veto over attempts by its adversaries to establish a foothold on the island.
“From now on, no US adversary can EVER have a base in Greenland, have a military presence in Greenland, or make sensitive investments in Greenland, without our express written approval,” he said.
However, Denmark has stressed that the agreement does not hand sovereignty over Greenland to Washington.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the deal “recognises the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of the Kingdom of Denmark as well as the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination.
Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
The agreement is expected to be formally signed by the US, Denmark and Greenland on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week.
It will still need to go through parliamentary procedures in Denmark and Greenland before coming into force.
The agreement follows months of threats by Trump to "take" Greenland.
He repeatedly argued the mineral-rich island was essential to American national security and called on Denmark to sell it to the US.
Trump also refused to rule out using military force to take Greenland despite Denmark being a fellow Nato member.
Denmark and Greenland repeatedly insisted the territory was not for sale, while European leaders backed their right to determine Greenland's future.
The US already maintains a military presence on the island at Pituffik Space Base, which is used for missile warning, missile defence and space surveillance.
Under the new agreement, Trump said the US would develop a significantly larger presence on the island.
“We look forward to working with the wonderful people of Denmark and Greenland toward a magnificent future with respect to this large, and highly strategic, parcel of land,” he said.
“We will be very protective of it.”
