Trump unveils Greenland ‘framework,’ signals retreat from force and tariffs

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday stepped back from threats to seize Greenland by force from ally Denmark, announcing a loosely defined agreement aimed at safeguarding the Arctic territory’s security.

Trump portrayed the shift — which also included withdrawing threats of sanctions against European countries that had backed Denmark — as a victory, saying the arrangement delivered Washington “everything we wanted.”

Speaking to reporters at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said the deal was negotiated with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and would remain in place “forever.”

“I think it puts everybody in a really good position, especially as it pertains to security, and minerals and everything else,” he said, hours after remarks in which he appeared to rule out the use of force to take control of Greenland.

Despite his comments, there was no indication that Trump had achieved his long-standing objective of bringing Greenland under US control.

Asked whether Denmark would retain sovereignty over the territory, Rutte said Greenland’s status “did not come up” during his discussions with Trump.

In an interview with Fox News’ Special Report with Bret Baier, the NATO chief offered few details on what the new arrangement would entail, saying only that NATO would continue efforts to secure the Arctic region against potential threats from Russia and China.

Rutte later told AFP that “there’s still a lot of work to be done.”

Trump also said in a social media post that he would scrap proposed tariffs of up to 25 percent on Denmark and other European allies — including Britain, France and Germany — that had deployed troops to Greenland in solidarity.

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said Denmark, Greenland and the United States would hold talks on ensuring that Russia and China “never gain a foothold — economically or militarily — in Greenland,” a key concern repeatedly raised by Trump.

Relief in Europe and markets

Global markets, unsettled by the standoff and tariff threats, reacted positively, with major Wall Street indices rising.

Trump’s earlier rhetoric had sparked one of the most serious transatlantic tensions in decades, raising fears that he could undermine NATO by threatening a fellow member state.

His apparent reversal brought cautious relief in Denmark, a long-standing US ally, where his comments had prompted shock and a sense of betrayal.

“Trump says he will pause the trade war and that he will not attack Greenland. These are positive messages,” Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen told public broadcaster DR.

Løkke had travelled to Washington last week for talks with Vice President JD Vance, later saying the United States had shown no flexibility on its interest in Greenland.

However, Aaja Chemnitz, one of Greenland’s two representatives in the Danish parliament, questioned NATO’s role in discussions involving the island’s mineral resources.

“NATO has no right to negotiate anything without us, Greenland. Nothing about us without us,” she wrote.

In Nuuk, where authorities have begun distributing crisis-preparedness brochures, 65-year-old pensioner Lis Steenholdt said Greenland and Denmark had made clear the island was not for sale.

“You have to believe in the system. That’s the only option we have right now,” she said.

Standing up to Trump

Trump has repeatedly argued that the United States, as NATO’s leading power, is entitled to Greenland because it would be responsible for defending the territory from Russia or China, despite neither country having any claim to it.

Addressing the Davos forum for the first time in six years, Trump called Denmark “ungrateful” but appeared to rule out military action.

“I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force. All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland,” he said.

Trump, 79, repeatedly referred to Greenland as Iceland during his speech.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney received a standing ovation at Davos earlier this week after warning of a “rupture” in the global order traditionally led by Washington, while French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe would not be intimidated.

Trump later criticised both leaders, mocking Macron for wearing sunglasses at the forum — which the French president said were due to an eye condition.