United States President Donald Trump, the government of Denmark and the autonomous authorities of Greenland have reached a security agreement that gives Washington permanent control of the defense of the Arctic territory. Announced by Trump on Friday night (18) and commented by government officials in Copenhagen and Nuuk on Saturday (19), the pact prohibits the installation of military bases or investments by adversary countries, such as Russia and China, on the island.
The measure comes after months of diplomatic pressure, threats of annexation and tariff retaliations imposed by the White House under the justification of reinforcing geopolitical security in the North Atlantic.
In a post on the Truth Social social network on Friday, Trump declared that the treaty is “infinite” and guarantees the ability “forever” to act in defense of the region, announcing the immediate start of a greater US military presence in the region.
On Saturday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the signature expected next week should replace a period of uncertainty with a binding agreement, reinforcing shared security within the framework of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
In a statement, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that the understanding recognizes the “sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom” and the “right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination”. The final text still depends on procedures and approval in the Danish and Greenlandic parliaments before coming into force.
The pact ends an escalation of tensions that began at the beginning of the year. In January, Trump declared that “the time has come” to take over the island and imposed trade tariffs of 10%, with the threat of raising them to 25%, against eight NATO countries opposed to the measure.
At the time, a survey by consultancy Verian indicated that 85% of Greenland’s inhabitants refused the possibility of separating from Denmark to join the USA. In the survey, only 6% supported union with the Americans, while 45% said they saw Trump’s ambition for the territory as a direct threat.
Strategic territory
Strategically located in the Arctic, Greenland is the largest island in the world and is home to vast reserves of rare earth minerals, oil and natural gas, as well as strategic ports valued by the melting of polar ice.
The territory already hosts the Pituffik Space Base, operated by the USA since a bilateral agreement signed in 1951 and updated in 2004. According to the White House, the island is considered a key piece for the “Golden Dome” missile interception system and to contain the expansion of China and Russia in the region.
Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
