A welcome thaw in an icy Arctic issue

The United States, Denmark, and the semiautonomous Danish territory of Greenland are poised to sign a new deal on the Arctic island’s future. In an announcement on Friday, President Donald Trump lauded the step as “a dream come true for the United States of America.”The response from other leaders has been low-key, but positive, with an apparent consensus that it’s time to move on from the instability caused by U.S. threats of a forcible takeover of Greenland. In addition, this development shows that behind-the-scenes diplomacy can still be effective, even in an atmosphere of decreasing trust among allies.“A win for quiet professionalism” that has also made the Arctic “a safer place for America and its allies,” is how The Economist describes this news. Though the text is not public, the deal reportedly reaffirms much of the old deal, a 1951 pact that allowed the U.S. to freely operate military bases and traverse the icebound island. What’s different, according to Mr. Trump, is that the U.S. will have the right to veto plans by its adversaries to build a military presence or undertake “sensitive investments” on the island. With China’s interest in investing in critical minerals projects, as well as the Russian navy’s use of Arctic waterways, this could protect Western Europe’s interests, too.The timing of this agreement is significant for the transatlantic alliance, even in its current frayed state. Mr. Trump’s announcement came on the same day that Congress passed a Russia sanctions bill, which boosts Europe’s efforts to help Ukraine fend off aggression from Moscow. That same day marked the completion of NATO’s weeklong Arctic Shield military exercises, which included the U.S. As a result of the deal, the U.S. military is expected to begin constructing new bases, while U.S. businesses plan to invest in minerals ventures. Earlier this month, in what some analysts see as a counter to U.S. influence, the European Union signed a €200 million investment plan with Danish and Greenlandic representatives. On an island where climate, geography, and distance have long constrained economic growth and opportunities, these moves together signal a boon for Greenland’s approximately 56,000 inhabitants. Deepen your worldviewwith Monitor Highlights.Politics with respectGet political stories with respectful analysis.There‘s a world of new ideas in everyBooks newsletter.There‘s more to life, enrich yours withCulture & Learning weekly.Follow humanity‘s discoveries withScience & Nature stories in your inbox.Gain a spiritual perspectivefrom the stories in your inbox.Want to understand the deeper impact of critical events? Learn the Monitor‘s insight.Already a subscriber? Log in to hide ads. The territory’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, recently thanked the EU for helping Greenland address “challenges that we cannot tackle alone.” And of the latest deal with the U.S., he said simply, “It is for the benefit of us all.” That’s a goal worth keeping in mind as the shifting Western alliance navigates global challenges, even in the frigid north. ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER? LoginReal news can be honest, hopeful, credible, constructive.The Christian Science Monitor was founded in 1908 to lift the standard of journalism and uplift humanity. We aim to “speak the truth in love.” Our goal is not to tell you what to think, but to give you the essential knowledge and understanding to come to your own intelligent conclusions. Join us in this mission by subscribing.