Greenland parliament ratifies US security deal struck with Trump

Nuuk — Greenland's parliament on Tuesday ratified the security agreement the Arctic island struck with the United States and Denmark in September, a deal that expands the US military presence on the territory while reaffirming Danish sovereignty and Greenlanders' right to self-determination. The vote in Nuuk was 16 in favour and none against, with seven abstentions, CNA reported.

The agreement ends a confrontation that began in January, when the White House said President Donald Trump was discussing options for acquiring the mineral-rich, strategically placed island — including the potential use of the US military. That alarmed governments across Europe and set off intensive diplomacy. The resulting pact paves the way for two new US military bases and Trump's "Golden Dome" missile defence system on Greenlandic soil.

Greenlandic Foreign Minister Mute Egede told lawmakers shortly before the vote that ratification was an important step. "We must accept that peace and stability are no longer something we can take for granted," he said. A majority had already signalled support in a first debate last month, so Tuesday's outcome surprised no one.

The dissent came not in votes but in abstentions and argument. Naleraq, the opposition party most associated with Greenlandic independence, questioned what the island gains materially. "We are looking for a better agreement that we can benefit from when we become an independent state. But no economic benefit has been gained from the agreement," said party chair Pele Broberg.

The deal is not yet in force. Because it is an executive agreement, it requires no approval from the US Senate — but it does need Denmark's parliament. The Folketing gives the bill its first reading on Nov 11, with a second reading and vote on Nov 19. Only once both Denmark and Greenland have ratified it will the agreement take effect. The Copenhagen vote is now the decision to watch.