U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday a security agreement with Greenland, the autonomous territory of Denmark, which would in practice consolidate a permanent American military presence on the Arctic island and completely veto any presence by China and Russia.
The agreement, described by Trump himself as "historic," will be signed next week during the United Nations High-Level Week in New York, and requires parliamentary approval from both Greenland and Denmark.
The announcement comes after Trump sparked a crisis in relations with Greenland, Denmark and other NATO countries earlier this year by suggesting the possibility of invading the island, which he considers a strategic objective for U.S. security.
What does the agreement contain?
Although the full contents of the agreement have not yet been released, U.S. sources say it guarantees the United States a permanent role in Greenland's security and will prohibit any of Washington's adversaries from having a military presence or unauthorized investments on the island.
According to Washington, the pact grants the United States the ability to "do what is necessary in Greenland" to ensure the security of both the island and the United States, including permanent presence on the island and overflight rights, while also allowing for an increase in the number of U.S. bases if necessary.
The United States currently has only one military base on the island, Pituffik, following decades of reduced presence, although Danish authorities have noted that this policy was a decision made by Washington.
The new agreement explicitly prohibits the presence of bases belonging to any country that is not a NATO member, meaning neither China nor Russia could establish bases or deploy troops on the island.
The pact, also according to Washington, is permanent and will remain in effect even in the event of Greenland's eventual independence — a right to self-determination from Denmark that is already recognized for its people.
What do Denmark and Greenland say?
The Danish and Greenlandic governments confirmed in a joint statement that they intend to sign an agreement with the United States next week to "strengthen security" on the Arctic island, without providing further details.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen welcomed the "good prospect" of an agreement that would "jointly strengthen security" while at the same time "recognizing the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Denmark and "the right of the people of Greenland to self-determination."
In the same statement, Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen added that the agreement "recognizes the interests" of the island, as well as its "place in international cooperation."
Why now?
Greenland, home to some 56,000 inhabitants and considered the world's largest island, has gained strategic importance due to increased competition in the Arctic, the melting of ice that is opening new sea routes, and interest in its mineral resources, including critical materials.
Washington fears that Russia will expand its military activity in the region and that China will gain influence through investments in mining, ports, airports and telecommunications.
Trump, who had already shown interest in the island during his first term (2017-2021), triggered a crisis earlier this year by insisting on buying it or even invading it militarily, something that was rejected by both Nuuk and Copenhagen and that placed NATO in a delicate situation, given that the alliance would be obligated to protect that territory in the event of a US attack.
In January, the Republican announced a framework agreement to reach an understanding and, since then, has toned down his rhetoric about the island, leading up to Friday's announcement of the final agreement.
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