Denmark, U.S. ready to sign Greenland security deal

A security deal for the chilly isle of Greenland could be inked by next week by U.S., Danish, and territorial leaders, according to social media posts by President Donald Trump and a Danish diplomat. Greenland functions as an autonomous territory in the Kingdom of Denmark. President Trump has previously suggested U.S. control of the island could solve what he perceived to be weaknesses in its defense, as Russia and China have shown more interest in the Arctic, but his previous remarks have not been welcomed by Denmark or other members of the European Union. Both Denmark and the United States are members of NATO.

Next week, the uncertainty could be replaced by a binding agreement strengthening security in the Arctic, North Atlantic, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen wrote Saturday morning on social media. The agreement could respect the Kingdom of Denmark’s territory while still being beneficial to the United States, Greenland, NATO, and Europe, he said, according to a translation of the statement. President Trump said in a social media post Friday night that the deal would allow the United States to have unrestricted ability going forward to secure and defend Greenland. He added that no U.S. adversaries would be able to have military bases or make sensitive investments in Greenland without U.S. approval. 

The deal could be signed at the United Nations General Assembly next week, according to the Associated Press, though parliamentary action was still needed by the Danish and Greenlandic governments.

The announcement comes days after the U.S. and Canadian forces launched a joint air patrol into Greenland for the North American Air Defense Command, or NORAD. Canada, meanwhile, was recently offered a chance become the first-ever associate member of the EU.