The United States will control parts of Greenland by designating them as sovereign base areas under the terms of a proposed deal agreed in Davos. Under the deal, which mimics Britain’s agreement with Cyprus, American bases on the Arctic island would be considered US territory.
In theory, the proposed new framework would allow the US to control parts of Greenland and potentially expand to mineral-rich areas which are coveted by Mr Trump.
It would allow the US to perform military operations, intelligence and training, while also facilitating some local development, potentially including rare earth mining.
It also means that the US would not have to seek permits, such as planning permission. The proposal would also make it easier for the US to position assets belonging to its prospective Golden Dome there.
The framework was agreed between Donald Trump and Mark Rutte, the Nato secretary-general on Wednesday evening. Mr Rutte said he had not discussed the key issue of Danish sovereignty over Greenland in his meeting with the US president.
When asked how long the deal would last, Trump said, “Forever.”
Denmark, which is not thought to have been involved in the discussions so far, declined to give its approval.