Denmark approves US military bases on Danish soil amongst worries for Greenland's sovereignty

Copenhagen (AP/dpa) -  Denmark's Parliament on Wednesday approved a bill to allow U.S. military bases on Danish soil, a move that comes as President Donald Trump seeks to take control of the kingdom's semi-autonomous territory of Greenland.

Critics say the vote ceded Danish sovereignty to the U.S. The legislation widens a previous military agreement, made in 2023 with the Biden administration, where U.S. troops had broad access to Danish airbases in the Scandinavian country.

The new parameters follow Trump's coveting of the strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island even as the U.S. and Denmark are NATO allies.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, in a response to lawmakers' questions, wrote that Denmark would be able to terminate the agreement if the U.S. tries to annex all or part of Greenland.

Frederiksen: future of Greenland only in hands of its people

Greenland’s prime minister previously said U.S. statements about the island have been disrespectful and it “will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by just anyone.”

Also on Wednesday Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen met with German chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin. There, Merz repeated Germany's support for Denmark. "The principle of the inviolability of borders is enshrined in international law and is not up for negotiation," Merz said. "We stand firmly alongside our Danish friends on these issues and that will remain the case," the German chancellor added.

Frederiksen on her part stressed that the sovereignty of states is a core element of the world order, and attacks on such fundamental principles and values cannot be allowed. The future of Greenland can only be decided by its people, she emphasized.

She said she believes that Trump is serious about Greenland. "But we are also serious," she added.