Trump, Greenland and Denmark sign deal in bid to end Arctic stand-off

President Donald Trump was due to meet with leaders of Greenland and Denmark on Tuesday to sign a deal that will allow a larger US military presence on Greenland and ‌could end a stand-off over the strategically located and mineral-rich island.

The agreement will allow the US to expand its military footprint in Greenland, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

In addition to the existing Pituffik Space Base, the deal is expected to open two new military sites: Narsarsuaq, a former Cold War airbase whose population has dwindled to just a few dozen, and Mestersvig, currently used by the Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, an elite ⁠Danish special forces unit.

Greenland, a former colony and now a semi-autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, sits between the ‌Arctic and North America and holds vast energy resources.