US, DENMARK AND GREENLAND AGREE DEAL ON ARCTIC MILITARY PRESENCE

The United States, Denmark and Greenland have agreed a deal giving Washington what President Donald Trump called "permanent control" over the Arctic territory's security. Trump announced the agreement on Friday, saying the US would have permanent control over security and "all other needs" in Greenland. Denmark and Greenland issued a joint statement on Saturday saying the deal would not compromise Greenland's sovereignty. Greenland's prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said it recognised the kingdom's sovereignty and the Greenlandic people's right to self-determination. Denmark's foreign minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, said the coming week could produce a binding agreement respecting the Danish kingdom's "red lines".

The agreement follows months of negotiations after Trump earlier this year raised the possibility of taking Greenland by force. Reports suggest it does not give the US ownership of Greenland but grants permanent access and permission to build military bases there without Danish approval. Trump said the deal meant the US would "forever" have the ability to secure Greenland, and that adversaries such as Russia and China would need his approval before any military presence there. Key details, including the scale of the US presence, have not been made public. The deal must still be passed by the Danish parliament.

The agreement is expected to be signed during the United Nations general assembly next week. Rasmussen said he hoped it would end a period of uncertainty between the three parties. Trump has focused on Greenland since before returning to office in January 2025, arguing that US control of the territory is needed for national security. He has said Russia and China could otherwise seek to expand their presence on the island.