Analyst questions what is new in Greenland agreement

Nothing indicates that US President Donald Trump’s new agreement includes much beyond what was already being offered to the United States in Greenland, political scientist Eiríkur Bergmann told Icelandic news site mbl.is.

“From the beginning of this discussion, Denmark has offered the United States extensive security operations in Greenland. They naturally have two military bases there and have never opposed a greater presence,” Bergmann said.

“It seems to me that this is simply that. What has emerged is essentially an agreement based on what was offered from the outset.”

Trump said the agreement would give the United States complete control over defence matters in Greenland. However, many questions remain unanswered.

Bergmann said the notable aspect was that the countries had not announced the agreement jointly or in a coordinated manner. Instead, Denmark appeared to have allowed the United States to present it independently.

“They are, for the time being, keeping their distance from the creative interpretation by the US president, in this matter as in many others,” he said.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the security agreement would strengthen joint security in the Arctic and North Atlantic while recognising Danish sovereignty and Greenlanders’ right to self-determination.

“Nothing substantive has emerged to show that this is more extensive than what was presented at the beginning. It is mainly the presentation that is noteworthy,” Bergmann said.