U.S. President Donald Trump, right, meets with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte during a meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davo
President Donald Trump on Wednesday stepped back from threatened tariffs on eight European countries, which he had linked to demands for U.S. control of Greenland. This reversal came shortly after he claimed he wanted the island “including right, title and ownership.”
In a post on his social media platform, Trump said he had reached an agreement with NATO Secretary General on what he described as a “framework of a future deal” focused on Arctic security. The announcement appeared to ease tensions with U.S. allies and avert a potential dispute with broad geopolitical implications.
Trump described the agreement as a “long-term deal” concerning Greenland. He said “additional discussions” were ongoing regarding the island and the proposed Golden Dome missile defense program—a multilayered system estimated to cost $175 billion that would, for the first time, place U.S. weapons in space. He provided no further details, stating that negotiations were still underway.
According to a European official familiar with the talks, one option under discussion involved Denmark and NATO cooperating with the U.S. to expand the American military presence in Greenland, potentially including the construction of new bases. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was unclear whether that proposal was part of the framework Trump referenced.
Speaking to reporters after his post, Trump described the deal as “infinite” and said it gave the U.S. “everything we wanted.” When asked if it included U.S. ownership of Greenland, he paused and said, “It's a long-term deal ... the ultimate long-term deal. It puts everybody in a really good position, especially regarding security and minerals.”
In an interview with CNBC, Trump said the framework involved cooperation between the U.S. and Europe on missile defense and mineral rights in Greenland. “They’re going to be involved in the Golden Dome, and they’re going to be involved in mineral rights, and so are we,” he said. When asked how long the agreement would last, he replied, “Forever.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told Fox News that he and Trump had not discussed U.S. control of Greenland during their Davos meeting. “That issue did not come up in my conversation,” Rutte said. Trump had announced that he and Rutte had outlined a deal for Greenland and the “entire Arctic Region” during their talks in Switzerland.
Rutte did not provide details on the framework but said he and Trump agreed that “collectively we have to protect the Arctic regions.” He added, “He is very focused on what we need to do to ensure that the Arctic region—where change is occurring and where Chinese and Russian activity is increasing—is protected. That was really the focus of our discussions.”
Rutte also noted that the U.S. continues discussions with Greenland and Denmark to prevent Russian or Chinese access to the island’s economy or military infrastructure.
Why Has Trump Wanted to Buy Greenland?
Trump’s reversal came shortly after he reiterated his long-standing claim that the U.S. should gain control of Greenland, saying he wanted “right, title and ownership” of the island but would not use military force. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, he criticized European allies and suggested NATO should not interfere with what he framed as legitimate U.S. expansion for national security purposes.
In remarks that sparked concern across Europe, Trump described Greenland as “cold and poorly located” but argued the U.S. had historically shouldered the burden of defending the continent. He portrayed his demand as modest relative to what the U.S. had contributed over decades.
“We probably won’t get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force, where we would be frankly unstoppable,” Trump said, adding that he did not intend to pursue that path. “I don’t have to. I don’t want to use force.”
Trump has frequently used assertive rhetoric to increase leverage in negotiations, and his comments appeared aimed at pressuring allies ahead of the Davos summit, where global leaders are already facing rising geopolitical tensions. His statements raised concerns about NATO’s stability, one of the world’s longest-standing military alliances.
Founded during the Cold War to counter the Soviet Union, NATO has consistently maintained that Greenland is not for sale and Denmark’s sovereignty must be respected. Danish officials reiterated that position while expressing willingness to discuss U.S. security concerns in the Arctic.
A Danish government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Copenhagen is open to defense cooperation but stressed that Denmark’s “red lines” remain firm. Greenlandic authorities also urged residents to prepare amid the heightened rhetoric, releasing a public handbook outlining steps to take in a crisis, including stockpiling food, water, and fuel for five days.
“We just went to the grocery store and bought the supplies,” said Tony Jakobsen, a resident of Greenland’s capital, Nuuk. Jakobsen initially dismissed Trump’s statements as bluster but decided it was prudent to prepare.
Trump has argued that U.S. control of Greenland is essential to counter growing Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic, despite America’s existing major military presence on the island. On Wednesday, he again warned allies against blocking U.S. ambitions.
“We want a piece of ice for world protection, and they won’t give it,” Trump said. “You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no, and we will remember.”
He later called for “immediate negotiations” over Greenland, framing the issue as one of global security rather than financial cost, and declined to specify a price. https://dmtn1.com/donald-trump-announces-greenland-deal/
