Bernd Debusmann JrWhite House journalist
President Donald Trump announced that the US is considering a possible agreement regarding Greenland following discussions with Nato, as he eased off threats to impose tariffs on European partners who resisted his ambitions for the US to acquire the island.
Trump shared minimal information on social media about a conversation he and Nato characterized as “very productive”.
After shaking the foundations of the transatlantic partnership with weeks of assertive language, the US president remarked that the meeting had established the “framework” for a potential deal.
However, there was no indication of an agreement that would fulfill Trump’s demand for “ownership” of Greenland, a goal he reiterated at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland while dismissing the use of military intervention.
On Truth Social on Wednesday, the president remarked: “We have established the framework for a prospective deal regarding Greenland and, indeed, the entire Arctic Region.
“This resolution, if finalized, will be greatly beneficial for the United States of America and all Nato Nations.”
Diplomatic sources informed the BBC’s US ally CBS that no accord existed for American dominance or control over the self-governing Danish territory.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff would “report directly” to him, Trump continued, as discussions were ongoing.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated: “The day is concluding on a more favorable note than it started.”
He added: “Now, let’s collaborate to address the American security concerns in the Arctic while honoring the boundaries of the Kingdom of Denmark.”
In the subsequent hours, some information emerged.
After his meeting with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte at the Swiss Alpine resort, Trump told the media that the potential agreement could incorporate mineral rights.
He also mentioned that European allies might collaborate on Trump’s additional scheme for a Golden Dome defense system to shield the US from long-range missile threats.
In addition to Greenland’s strategic position, the US has highlighted the island’s expansive – and largely unexploited – deposits of rare earth minerals, many of which are essential for technologies such as smartphones and electric cars.
“It’s the ultimate long-term agreement,” Trump told reporters. “It places everyone in an advantageous situation, particularly in terms of security and minerals.
“It’s an everlasting deal.”
Nato’s secretary general indicated that he had not addressed the critical subject of Danish sovereignty over Greenland during his discussions with Trump.
Rutte informed Fox News that the “topic did not arise anymore in my talks tonight with the president”.
Trump had earlier dismissed the notion of leasing Greenland, asserting that “you defend ownership. You do not defend leases.”
Nato spokesperson Allison Hart released a statement post-meeting between Trump and Rutte: “Negotiations between Denmark, Greenland, and the US will proceed aimed at ensuring that Russia and China do not establish a presence economically or militarily in Greenland.”
However, one of the two Greenlandic legislators in the Danish parliament questioned why Nato would be involved in matters concerning the island’s mineral assets.
“Nato in no circumstance has the authority to negotiate anything without us, Greenland. Nothing about us without us,” Aaja Chenmitz stated.
As per US media reports, the possible plan might permit the US to establish additional military bases on the territory.
Officials present at the Nato meeting on Wednesday informed the New York Times that the proposed structure might resemble UK bases on Cyprus, which are part of British Overseas Territories.
Under current agreements with Denmark, the US is allowed to deploy as many troops as it desires to Greenland. It already maintains over 100 military personnel permanently stationed at its Pituffik base in the north-western tip of the territory.
Trump had threatened to implement a 10% tariff “on any and all goods” shipped from the UK to the US starting on 1 February, escalating to 25% from 1 June, unless a deal was reached for Washington to acquire Greenland from Denmark.
The same would apply to items from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland – all of which are Nato members, the defense alliance established in 1949.
However, the president of the US abandoned discussions of a trade conflict following his meeting with Rutte.
“Based on this understanding, I will not impose the Tariffs scheduled to take effect on February 1st,” Trump stated in his Truth Social post.
In his first address in six years at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, Trump claimed he was “seeking immediate negotiations” to acquire Greenland, but insisted the US would not seize the territory through force.
“We probably won’t achieve anything unless I opt to use excessive force. We’d be unstoppable, but we won’t do that,” Trump remarked. “I don’t have to resort to force. I don’t want to apply force. I will not employ force.”
He also urged global leaders to permit the US to take control of Greenland from Denmark, stating: “You can say yes and we would be extremely grateful. Or you can decline and we will remember.”
In his own address at Davos a day prior, French President Emmanuel Macron criticized Trump’s earlier threat of import duties.
He stated that an “endless accumulation of new tariffs” from the US was “fundamentally unacceptable”.
Macron was among those encouraging the EU to explore counteraction options against new US tariffs.
In his remarks, Trump targeted Macron, asserting that France had been “screwing” the US for decades.
The US president also took a jab at Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who called for “middle powers” including Australia, Argentina, and his own nation to unify during his address at Davos the day before.
In retaliation, Trump accused Carney of being ungrateful to the US.
“Canada exists because of the United States,” Trump asserted. “Keep that in mind, Mark, the next time you make your remarks.”
