United States President Donald Trump has announced a major security agreement with Denmark and Greenland that he says will give Washington permanent authority to protect Greenland and prevent adversaries from establishing military bases or making sensitive investments in the strategically important Arctic territory.

Trump announced the agreement on Friday, describing it as an arrangement with no expiration date and saying the United States would immediately begin preparations to expand its military presence in Greenland.

Denmark and Greenland have confirmed that an agreement has been reached but emphasised that it does not transfer sovereignty over Greenland to the United States.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the agreement recognises the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark as well as the Greenlandic people's right to self determination.

The agreement is expected to be formally signed during the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week before going through the necessary parliamentary procedures.

TRUMP CALLS AGREEMENT PERMANENT

Trump described the arrangement as an Infinite Life Agreement and said there would be no end to the security relationship established under it.

According to the US president, Washington will have the ability to take necessary measures to secure and defend Greenland as well as protect US national security interests in the Arctic.

Trump also said the arrangement would come at no cost to the United States, although details explaining the financial structure of the agreement have not yet been publicly released.

The full text of the agreement had also not been published at the time of reporting.

US PLANS LARGER MILITARY PRESENCE

Trump said Washington would immediately begin planning for a larger military presence in Greenland.

The United States already maintains a military presence on the island through Pituffik Space Base and has had defence arrangements with Denmark covering Greenland for decades.

The new agreement is expected to strengthen Washington's long term ability to operate militarily in the territory.

Greenland's geographic position between North America and Europe has made it strategically important for missile warning systems, space surveillance and Arctic defence.

RUSSIA AND CHINA AMONG MAJOR US CONCERNS

A central objective of the agreement is preventing countries considered adversaries of the United States and its allies from establishing strategic footholds in Greenland.

Trump said no US adversary would be permitted to establish a military base or military presence in Greenland or make sensitive investments without approval.

US officials have repeatedly raised concerns about the expanding strategic importance of the Arctic as Russia strengthens its military capabilities in the region and China seeks greater economic and political involvement.

The agreement is intended to restrict military access in Greenland to allied countries and place limitations on sensitive investments involving non allied states.

DENMARK SAYS GREENLAND REMAINS UNDER ITS SOVEREIGNTY

Despite Trump's description of permanent US security control, Denmark has emphasised that the agreement does not amount to an American acquisition of Greenland.

Frederiksen said the arrangement strengthens common security across the Arctic and North Atlantic while recognising the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen also welcomed the agreement, saying it would strengthen Greenland's security as well as that of Denmark, the United States and the wider Western alliance.

Greenland is a self governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and has extensive control over its domestic affairs.

The agreement therefore represents an expansion of American security arrangements rather than a transfer of ownership or sovereignty to Washington.

AGREEMENT STILL REQUIRES FORMAL APPROVAL

Although Trump described the agreement as completed, Danish and Greenlandic officials have been more cautious about its legal status.

The pact is expected to be formally signed on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

After signing, it must pass through the necessary parliamentary procedures before entering into force.

The complete legal text has not yet been publicly released, meaning some details surrounding US authority, financing and implementation remain unclear.

DEAL FOLLOWS MONTHS OF TENSION OVER GREENLAND

The agreement follows months of diplomatic tension after Trump repeatedly argued that the United States needed greater control over Greenland for national security reasons.

His previous statements about acquiring the territory generated strong opposition in Denmark and Greenland and created tensions between NATO allies.

The new arrangement appears to address some of Washington's security concerns without transferring Greenland to the United States.

The United States has maintained a strategic military presence in Greenland since the Second World War.

A 1951 defence agreement between Washington and Copenhagen already provides the United States with significant rights to operate military facilities on the island.

The new agreement is intended to provide a more permanent framework as geopolitical competition in the Arctic intensifies.

For now, Trump's description of permanent US control applies specifically to the security arrangement he says has been negotiated.

Greenland itself remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark, with Danish and Greenlandic leaders maintaining that sovereignty and Greenland's right to determine its political future remain unchanged.