Security expert hails Trump's Greenland pact as a 'big deal' on par with Alaska purchase

President Donald Trump's newly announced security agreement with Denmark and Greenland would block U.S. adversaries from establishing bases in Greenland and limit adversarial investments on the island, a move one security expert says limits China and Russia's ambitions in the region.

Speaking on "Fox & Friends Weekend," Center for Security Policy senior fellow and retired U.S.

Marine Col.

Grant Newsham compared Trump's pact with Denmark and Greenland to the U.S. acquisition of Alaska in 1867.

Newsham argued the agreement secures vital North American defense geography while limiting Russian and Chinese expansion.

"This is a big deal.

This is right up there with Secretary of State Seward getting Alaska," Newsham said Saturday.

RUSSIA’S QUIETER NUCLEAR SUBMARINES THREATEN NATO, FORMER COMMANDER WARNS "It's a little different, because we haven't bought the place, but it locks up or brings into the fold, really, key terrain, key geography, up on our northeast," he explained.

"Russia and the Chinese, in particular, they can't get in there militarily, and they cannot get in economically." On Friday, the president announced the deal in a post on Truth Social, saying the agreement would give the U.S. permanent control over security in Greenland .

"I am pleased to announce that the United States of America has entered into an Agreement with The Kingdom of Denmark, and Greenland, that gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many U.S. concerns," Trump wrote.

"There will be NO COST to the United States! 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," he added.

DENMARK VOWS TO DEFEND GREENLAND AFTER TRUMP REITERATES US SHOULD CONTROL TERRITORY Denmark and Greenland have emphasized that the agreement, which requires formal signatures and parliamentary procedures before taking effect, will preserve their "sovereignty and territorial integrity." RUBIO WARNS CHINA AFTER PANAMA SHIP DETENTIONS, CALLS HEMISPHERE SOVEREIGNTY 'NON-NEGOTIABLE' Newsham compared the move to Trump's previous foreign policy decisions, arguing the Greenland agreement fits what he sees as a broader strategy to defend the U.S. homeland.

"Look at how the Chinese have been rolled back in Panama.

And look what President Trump has done with Venezuela.