Trump secures defence deal with Greenland after locals protested the president

President Donald Trump said Friday he has a deal with Denmark to bolster the US military presence in Greenland after months of threatening to take island by force from the NATO ally .

Trump in a social media post announcing the deal said the agreement “gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many US concerns.”

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Trump secures US military control over Greenland

He added that with the agreement his administration would “immediately” begin the process of developing a larger military presence on the mineral-rich Danish territory.

The office of Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said the deal will be signed by three governments next week during the United Nations General Assembly, but parliamentary action is still needed by the Danish and Greenland governments before it can be enforced.

In a statement she said “the agreement recognises the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Greenland and Denmark and upholds both people’s right “to self-determination.”

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the emerging deal benefits all three governments and “recognises Greenland’s interests and our place in the international cooperation.”

With his return to the White House last year, Trump called on Denmark to sell the island to the United States, while insisting that Greenland is crucial for US security.

He pointedly wouldn’t rule out taking the island by military force, even though Denmark is a NATO ally of the US.

Denmark and Greenland repeatedly said the island is not for sale and condemned reports of the US gathering intelligence there.

The US push for Greenland is also opposed by Russia and much of Europe .

But Trump in his social media post Friday suggested an understanding may been reached that could bring an end to what was viewed as an existential crisis by Denmark.

“We look forward to working with the wonderful people of Denmark and Greenland toward a magnificent future with respect to this large, and highly strategic, parcel of land,” Trump said in his post.

Trump had raised concerns that Russia and China had become more active in the Arctic, making the need for the US to take control of Greenland necessary.