President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the US had entered into an agreement with Denmark and Greenland that gives the US permanent control over Greenland's security.

"At my direction, ‌we worked with representatives of Denmark and Greenland to ‌guarantee ​that the United States will FOREVER have the complete ability to do what is necessary in Greenland in order to secure and defend ​the security of Greenland, and the United States of America," Trump said on Truth Social.

The US State Department said the deal bars US adversaries from establishing bases there.

"The agreement explicitly guarantees the United States the complete ability to do what it deems is necessary in Greenland in order to secure and defend the American continent, including permanent access, basing, and overflight rights," a State Department official said. "This agreement guarantees that China and Russia cannot have a base in Greenland, they cannot send troops to Greenland, and the necessary mechanisms are in place to prevent investment in sensitive sectors."

In his post, Trump wrote that the US would "immediately" begin developing a larger military presence on the Danish territory.

What did Denmark and Greenland say?

According to a joint statement by the Danish and Greenlandic governments, the United States, Denmark, and Greenland have announced a breakthrough in their dispute over the Arctic island.

"I am pleased that there is a prospect of a good agreement for Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a statement.

She added that the deal was "great for NATO and Europe" and  recognized "the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom (of Denmark) and the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination." 

The agreement is expected to be signed next week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the head of Greenland's government, said, "It is gratifying that we are about to enter into an agreement that ensures and strengthens the security of Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark, the United States, and the Western alliance."

The deal benefits all three governments and "recognizes Greenland’s interests and our place in the international cooperation," Nielsen added.

Since returning to the White House last year, Trump has pressed Denmark to sell Greenland to the United States and even threatened to take it by force, insisting that the island is crucial for US security. 

Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly stated that the island is not for sale and have condemned reports of the US gathering intelligence there.

Edited by: Sean Sinico

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