(A)Political - September 19th

Good morning everyone,

I guess we got Greenland (kinda)? Let’s dive in!

Trump announced a security deal that permits the U.S. full security control over Greenland. Trump signs law that punishes the purchase of Russian oil. Several groups sue the government in order to keep armed agents away from polling locations.

• Trump Strikes Framework Security Deal For Greenland

• New Law Lets Trump Tariff the Five Biggest Buyers of Russian Oil

• NAACP and Unions Sue to Keep Federal Agents Away From Polling Places

Trump Strikes Framework Security Deal For Greenland

_{By: Atlas}

President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States “has entered into” a security agreement with the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland that gives Washington “permanent control over security, and all other needs” on the Arctic island. Danish and Greenlandic leaders described the deal as unfinished: they are about to enter into it, expect to sign next week in New York, and still need parliamentary approval before it becomes final.

“At my direction, we worked with representatives of Denmark and Greenland to guarantee that the United States will FOREVER have the complete ability to do what is necessary in Greenland in order to secure and defend the security of Greenland, and the United States of America,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He called the arrangement an “‘Infinite Life’ Agreement” at “NO COST” to the United States and said no U.S. adversary could have a base, military presence, or “sensitive investments” there without “express written approval.” Trump’s “permanent control” line is a political characterization, not a published legal definition.

What Copenhagen, Nuuk, And Washington Said

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the prospective pact strengthens Arctic and North Atlantic security and is “good for NATO and Europe,” while recognizing “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom and the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination.” She said it does not give the United States sovereignty over Greenland. Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said it is “gratifying that we are about to enter into an agreement” that strengthens security for Greenland, Denmark, the United States, and the Western alliance and “recognizes Greenland’s interests.” Frederiksen’s office said the deal must still go through “necessary parliamentary procedures” in Denmark before it enters into force; Greenlandic approval steps remain ahead as well.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the deal historic and a “huge win,” saying it “permanently and completely addresses our national security concerns in Greenland” and that Greenland “will forever be part of the strategic defense area of North America and exclude any adversary from it and the surrounding area.” Trump said the administration will “immediately begin” developing a “large Military presence” in “the appropriate part of Greenland.”

A State Department official described permanent access, basing, and overflight rights; authority to increase the number of bases; a ban on non-NATO bases and troops; and barriers to Chinese and Russian bases, troops, and sensitive-sector investments. The official said the arrangement would remain in force even if Greenland became fully independent from Denmark, and that Washington could add military structures without further Danish or Greenlandic approval. No treaty text was public Friday night.

Existing Bases And The 1951 Framework

U.S. forces already operate Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland under the 1951 Defense of Greenland agreement with Denmark, which has long permitted an American military presence and avenues to expand it. Friday’s announcement was presented in Washington as a lasting expansion of American latitude, including an adversary veto over bases, troops, and sensitive investments. How far the new text goes beyond the 1951 framework will turn on language still unreleased and on ratification in Copenhagen and Nuuk. Leaders are expected to sign next week in New York during the United Nations General Assembly.

From January Framework To Friday

The dispute that produced Friday’s statements began earlier this year, when Trump pressed for ownership of Greenland, floated tariffs on European allies, and left open the use of force before climbing down. At the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, Trump said that after meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte he had formed “the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region,” and that he would not impose the tariffs scheduled for Feb. 1. In Davos he also said he would not take Greenland by force.

Reporting at the time described further talks on updating the 1951 defense arrangement, expanded U.S. access, and barriers to Russian and Chinese investment, while Danish and Greenlandic officials kept sovereignty as a red line. Polling in Greenland has consistently shown deep opposition to becoming part of the United States.

It is not clear whether Friday’s announcement grew directly out of those January discussions. People familiar with the Trump-Rutte talks said the January understanding was verbal and that no written document memorialized the future-deal framework.

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