Donald Trump is set to sign a security deal on Tuesday with Denmark and Greenland to end a bitter dispute over the Arctic island, expanding Washington’s military role without granting the US the ownership or outright control the president once sought.
Greenland’s Sovereignty Maintained Amid New Agreement
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen confirmed on Monday that a new agreement regarding Greenland will maintain Danish sovereignty over the territory. She characterized the deal as beneficial for all parties involved, although full details are yet to be disclosed.
Frederiksen emphasized, “We are not giving up sovereignty, and I can guarantee that I will never do that as Danish prime minister.” She further stated that it is feasible to uphold sovereignty while enhancing cooperation in security and defense matters.
Trump is scheduled to sign the agreement alongside Frederiksen and Greenland’s leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York at 10.30 a.m. local time on Tuesday, according to a statement from the government in Copenhagen.
The US president on Friday announced a deal had been reached, saying on social media that it would give the US “permanent control over security” in Greenland, including giving Washington a say over foreign military activity and sensitive investments and expanding its military footprint on the island. The signing will cap months of negotiations aimed at ending a dispute over the semi-autonomous Danish territory that in January escalated into a major diplomatic crisis between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization members. The standoff was sparked by Trump’s repeated threats since taking office to annex Greenland or seize control of the island.
