Greenland's parliament on Tuesday formally approved a trilateral security and military-access agreement with the United States and Denmark, paving the way for a significantly expanded military footprint by the US regime on the strategically vital and resource-rich island.

The contentious deal purportedly aims to alleviate mounting pressure from US President Donald Trump, who earlier in the year had repeatedly threatened to seize control of the self-governing Danish territory under the guise of national security interests.

Following months of tense negotiations, the pact was signed in September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. The arrangement provides for two new US military bases and the implementation of Trump's controversial "Golden Dome" missile defense system.

Critics and local opposition figures have pointed out that the same defense arrangements could have been reached without the severe friction and tariff threats initially unleashed by Washington, which left deep scars within the transatlantic alliance.

Source: www.dw.com