Greenland, Denmark and US Reach Deal, Say Sovereignty Will Not Be Affected | WPN World People News

The United States, Denmark, and Greenland Reach Agreement on Expanding U.S. Military Deployment in Greenland

According to Reuters, the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland announced an agreement on the evening of the 18th to expand the U.S. military deployment in Greenland. The agreement prohibits any country other than the United States from establishing bases in the region. Furthermore, according to Fox News, the agreement will completely ban countries other than the U.S. from investing in and purchasing Greenland's rare earth minerals.

President Trump posted on his social media platform stating that the U.S. had reached an agreement with Denmark, granting the U.S. permanent control over Greenland's security and other needs. However, the Danish Foreign Minister and the Prime Minister of Greenland subsequently posted that any agreement reached with the United States would not compromise Greenland's sovereignty.

Specific details of the agreement, however, including the scale of the U.S. military deployment in Greenland and the extent of other related control rights, have not been disclosed. Reuters reports that the agreement is expected to be signed during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Both Denmark and Greenland hope to end the uncertainty triggered by Trump's threats to take control of Greenland over the past few months.

U.S. officials revealed that Trump has long desired to acquire Greenland. One of the reasons is the concern that if Greenland were to declare independence from Denmark, the U.S. military deployment there could be compromised. The U.S. military signed a treaty with Denmark in 1951 that allowed it to maintain a military presence in Greenland. Rich in rare earth elements, crude oil, and various minerals, coupled with its strategic geographical location along the Arctic shipping route, Greenland has long faced expansion and potential threats from Russia and China.

The Washington Post analyzed that the framework of this agreement is a three-way compromise. On one hand, President Trump can claim a victory ahead of the U.S. midterm elections. At the same time, Denmark, Greenland, and Europe can alleviate concerns that Trump's push for control over Greenland could deteriorate bilateral relations. Meanwhile, the U.S. can also use this agreement to guard against military expansion by China and Russia.