Denmark, Greenland welcome U.S. security deal

Denmark and Greenland signaled cautious support Saturday for a U.S. security agreement that President Donald Trump said would give Washington “permanent control” over Greenland’s security, while Danish and Greenlandic officials stressed that the Arctic territory’s sovereignty would not be compromised.

The agreement is expected to be signed Tuesday in New York during the United Nations General Assembly, U.S. officials told CBS News. But the office of Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said parliamentary action is still needed by the Danish and Greenland governments before it can take effect.

Trump announced the deal Friday, saying it would give the United States “permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many U.S. concerns.” He said the United States would “immediately” begin developing a larger military presence in the mineral-rich territory.

Denmark and the United States already have a long-standing security agreement allowing U.S. forces to operate in Greenland, and it was not immediately clear how the new deal differs. Denmark and Greenland did not explicitly confirm the specifics in Trump’s statements or provide details on the agreement’s rights and obligations.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen welcomed the prospect of a deal, writing on Instagram that “next week could be a good week … for Greenland, Denmark, and the United States alike.”

“A period of uncertainty will hopefully be replaced by a binding agreement that strengthens security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic — and thus also our shared security within NATO and Europe — while respecting the Kingdom’s red lines,” he said.

Greenland’s government leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said he was happy with an agreement that he said “benefits not only our collective security, but also the continued development here in the country.” Al Jazeera reported that Nielsen also said the agreement “recognises Greenland’s interests” and is “to the benefit of us all.”

Greenland’s foreign minister, Múte B. Egede, told Denmark’s TV2 broadcaster that he was pleased “we now have an agreement within reach.” He added: “It has taken some time. I’m pleased that we finally have an end product within reach. And it’s about time.”

A State Department official told CBS News the agreement guarantees the United States permanent access to Greenland and overflight rights, potentially allowing the military to increase the number of bases. The official said the deal blocks non-NATO members from establishing military bases and restricts U.S. adversaries from making sensitive investments in Greenland.

Al Jazeera reported that a State Department official said the deal ensures 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.” Trump said, “From now on, no US adversary can EVER have a base in Greenland, have a military presence in Greenland, or make sensitive investments in Greenland, without our express written approval.”

A NATO spokesperson welcomed the agreement, saying it would “help advance security, stability and cooperation in this vital region,” the BBC reported.

The United States has maintained a military role in Greenland for decades, including through Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland. The base, built after the 1951 Defense of Greenland Treaty, supports missile warning, missile defense and space surveillance operations for the United States and NATO.

Trump’s push for a stronger U.S. role in Greenland followed earlier calls for Denmark to sell the island, which has about 56,000 residents. Denmark and Greenland repeatedly said Greenland is not for sale. Trump also declined to rule out using military force to take the territory, alarming Denmark, a NATO ally, and drawing opposition from Russia and much of Europe.

Reactions in Greenland and Denmark ranged from relief to uncertainty. In Nuuk, 29-year-old hairdresser Soren Kreutzmann told AFP, “I don’t know exactly what the agreement is or what has been signed. But whenever the US and Trump are mentioned, I have mixed feelings.” Bibbi Kleist Jepsen, a 64-year-old educator, said, “We hope the leaders have made a good agreement, because our country needs to be protected, both from the air and sea.”

In Denmark, Michael Frees, a 51-year-old high school teacher in Copenhagen, called the agreement “the most realistic solution for us right now.”