Danish minister hints increased US military presence could be part of Greenland deal

Danish Business Minister Martin Lidegaard has said an increased US military presence in Greenland could be part of an agreement announced by President Donald Trump, but details of the deal are murky.

Trump said Friday that the United States had reached a deal with Denmark and Greenland to advance US security interests on the Arctic island while keeping Greenland under the Kingdom of Denmark. The deal is due to be signed off next week and will require parliamentary approval.

Trump said his administration would begin developing a larger US military presence in Greenland and that the agreement would give Washington permanent control over security and other needs on the island.

The current US presence includes the Pituffik Space Base, which provides missile warning, missile defence and space surveillance.

Reuters reported that the agreement would expand US military access, basing and overflight rights, while preventing non-NATO adversaries from establishing bases or making sensitive investments in Greenland. Specific plans for additional bases have not been disclosed. The deal comes after months of tension over Trump’s repeated calls for more US control of Greenland.