Washington is now set to expand its military footprint on the Danish-owned Arctic island

Greenland’s parliament ratified on Tuesday a security agreement reached earlier this year with US President Donald Trump, Reuters has reported. The deal, which is backed by Denmark, provides for an expansion of the US military presence on the Arctic island.

Trump started threatening to annex Greenland last year, claiming that the US needs it “for the purpose of national security” and for its rare-earth minerals.

The rhetoric sparked outrage in Copenhagen and prompted European NATO members to rally behind Denmark. The dispute eventually led to an agreement announced by the US, Denmark, and Greenland in September.…