Economist: Trump Administration Prepares Draft Deal on Greenland

The administration of US President Donald Trump is developing a draft deal on Greenland that may be proposed to the island’s authorities. This was reported by the British journal The Economist. According to the publication, Washington is discussing the possibility of concluding a Free Association Agreement, which would raise the standard of living of the Greenlandic population. The US already has similar agreements with Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau: Washington provides financial support, and its partners transfer defense matters to it while retaining internal self-government. The Economist notes that the Trump administration’s policy toward Greenland has two objectives: to exacerbate differences between Denmark and Greenland and to attempt to negotiate with the island’s authorities without involving Copenhagen. At the same time, the outlet considers a “direct annexation” of the island unlikely, emphasizing that US claims have caused concern among European leaders. The publication recalls that there is already a US military base in Greenland, and existing agreements with Denmark do not limit the number of US troops. Although a significant increase would probably require Copenhagen’s consent. On January 4, Trump said that the US needed control over Greenland for national security reasons. He claimed that there were “Russian and Chinese ships all over the place” around the island.