Trump Reveals Potential Framework for Greenland Deal Amid Tariff Withdrawal

President Donald Trump announced that the United States is considering a possible agreement regarding Greenland following discussions with NATO. This comes as he retracts threats to impose tariffs on European allies that opposed his ambitions to acquire the island.

On social media, Trump provided limited information about a conversation that he and NATO characterized as “very productive.” After weeks of contentious dialogue that unsettled the transatlantic alliance, Trump indicated that the meeting had resulted in a potential “framework” for an agreement.

However, there was no indication of any arrangement that would fulfill Trump’s desire for “ownership” of Greenland, a goal he reiterated during the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, while explicitly rejecting the use of military action.

In a post on Truth Social, the US president stated: “We have formed the framework of a future deal regarding Greenland and, indeed, the entire Arctic Region. This agreement, if finalized, will be immensely beneficial for the United States and all NATO nations.”

Diplomatic insiders informed that there is currently no accord for American control or ownership over the self-governing Danish territory. Trump further mentioned that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff would be reporting directly to him as negotiations progress.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen remarked, “The day is concluding on a more positive note than it started.” He emphasized the need to find solutions to address American security concerns in the Arctic while honoring Denmark’s boundaries.

As details emerged following the discussions, Trump mentioned that the prospective agreement could involve rights to mineral resources. Additionally, he indicated a potential collaboration with European allies on his proposal for a Golden Dome defense system, aimed at shielding the US from long-range missile threats.

The strategic significance of Greenland, coupled with its vast untapped reserves of rare earth minerals essential for modern technologies such as smartphones and electric vehicles, has drawn considerable US interest. “It represents the ultimate long-term deal,” Trump stated, highlighting benefits for all parties, especially concerning security and resource availability. “It’s an agreement that would last forever.”

During his meeting with Trump, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte noted that the critical issue of Danish sovereignty over Greenland was not discussed. Rutte explained in an interview that this topic did not arise in his conversations with the president.

Previously, Trump dismissed the notion of leasing Greenland, asserting that “you defend ownership; you do not defend leases.” Following the meeting, NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart stated that negotiations involving Denmark, Greenland, and the United States would advance to ensure that neither Russia nor China establishes a foothold in Greenland.

However, one Greenlandic lawmaker in the Danish parliament questioned NATO’s authority to negotiate the island’s mineral wealth. “NATO has no right to negotiate anything without us—Greenland. Nothing about us without us,” Aaja Chenmitz asserted.

Reports suggest that the proposed plan could permit the US to establish additional military bases in the territory. Officials present at the NATO meeting indicated that the framework for this arrangement might resemble the UK bases on Cyprus, which are part of British Overseas Territories.

Under current agreements with Denmark, the US is allowed to station an unlimited number of troops in Greenland, where it already maintains over 100 military personnel at the Pituffik base located in the northwestern part of the territory.

Trump had previously threatened to impose a 10% tariff on all goods imported from the UK to the US, set to escalate to 25% in June, if a deal for the US to purchase Greenland from Denmark was not reached. This threat also extended to goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland—all NATO member states.

Following his meeting with Rutte, Trump decided to abandon the idea of a trade war. He announced, “In light of this understanding, I will not impose the tariffs scheduled to take effect on February 1st,” in his Truth Social post.

In his first address in six years at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump expressed his desire for immediate negotiations to acquire Greenland but reiterated that the US would not resort to force. “We probably won’t achieve anything unless I resort to excessive force. We could be unstoppable, but that is not our intention,” Trump stated. “I don’t need to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force.”

He also urged global leaders to allow the US to take control of Greenland from Denmark, stating, “You can agree, and we will be very grateful. Or you can disagree, and we will remember.”

French President Emmanuel Macron, in his own speech at Davos a day earlier, criticized Trump’s previous threat of tariffs. He labeled the “endless accumulation of new tariffs” from the US as “fundamentally unacceptable.” Macron was among those advocating for the EU to consider retaliatory measures against new US tariffs.

In his address, Trump targeted Macron, claiming that France had been “taking advantage” of the US for decades. He also criticized Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who had called for middle powers like Australia, Argentina, and Canada to unite during his address at Davos. In response, Trump accused Carney of being ungrateful towards the US, asserting, “Canada thrives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you speak.”