Trump says US has deal to establish military presence in Greenland

President Donald Trump announced a deal with Denmark and Greenland to establish a "large military presence" on the territory, potentially ending a monthlong diplomatic dispute with a NATO ally.

The agreement would give the United States “permanent control over security, and all other needs,” Trump said on Sept. 18 in a post on social media, adding that American adversaries would be prevented from having a presence in the territory.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen confirmed the agreement in a statement.

”I am glad that we are about to make a great agreement for Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark, and the United States," she said. "An agreement which strengthens our common security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic Area and therefore is great for NATO and Europe as well."

The agreement appears to satisfy Trump’s longtime fascination with the landmass while avoiding his stated ambition of annexing the territory. The U.S. will have permanent access to Greenland in addition to basing and overflight rights, according to a State Department official.

“We will immediately begin the process of developing a large Military presence in the appropriate part of Greenland,” Trump said.

Trump sparked a diplomatic crisis with Denmark earlier this year…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/travel/