‘Going to be a fantastic relationship’ — Trump, Greenland, Denmark sign deal in bid to end Arctic

'Going to be a fantastic relationship' — Trump, Greenland, Denmark sign deal in bid to end Arctic

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump finalized a security agreement with Greenland and Denmark during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This deal aims to address ongoing tensions in the Arctic region, signaling a strategic move to strengthen relations with the two nations amidst the backdrop of geopolitical competition in the area.

The deal allows the US to establish military bases at Narsarsuaq in the south, and Mestersvig on the east coast of the Arctic island, the text of the 10-page agreement showed, according to Reuters.

“It’s going to be a long-term, fantastic relationship,” Trump said at the ceremony in New York, news agency AFP reported. Track live updates on UNGA Notably, Trump had previously said that the arrangement would give America “permanent control” over security for Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory in the Arctic. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said that Greenland matters for North American security and for transatlantic security. “This agreement reflects that we understand our responsibility and act accordingly,” he added.

“Mr. President, you have been very clear. You don’t want adversaries to come too close,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen was quoted as saying ahead of the signing.

This comes amid Trump’s speech at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly where he defended the US war against Iran and also said that Russia-Ukraine peace could be attained sooner than expected.