Trump announces Greenland ‘framework’ with NATO for ‘a future deal’

 

U.S.  At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, President Donald Trump pressed Denmark, whom he referred to as "ungrateful," once more for "immediate negotiations" regarding his proposed acquisition of Greenland.

U.S.  On Wednesday, President Donald Trump made the announcement that he and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte had agreed on a "framework" for "a future deal with respect to Greenland" and "the entire Arctic region." Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that as part of the deal framework, he would no longer threaten to impose tariffs on European nations for their support of the Danish territory next month. Trump wrote, "We have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region. Based upon a very productive meeting that I have had with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte." “This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations,” he added.

“Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on Feb.  1.”

 Trump’s post continued: “Additional discussions are being held concerning The Golden Dome as it pertains to Greenland.  As the conversation progresses, additional details will be made available. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and various others, as needed, will be responsible for the negotiations — they will report directly to me.”

 Trump’s announcement came hours after he addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and reiterated his desire to acquire Greenland, though he said he would not do so by force.

 “That’s our territory,” he told the crowd.

This week, Prime Minister Mark Carney and a number of European leaders attended the annual forum and pledged support for Greenland's sovereignty and Denmark's, a NATO ally.

It was not immediately clear whether the "solution" that Trump proposed would affect the sovereignty of Greenland or the U.S. military presence there. Greenland is already under NATO protection, and the U.S. currently has the ability to expand its military bases as much as it wants to under a 1951 treaty with Denmark and more recent security agreements between the two countries.

After leaving the meeting with Rutte, Trump told reporters, "It's a deal that everybody's very happy with." It's a long-term arrangement. The ultimate long-term agreement is here. Everyone benefits greatly from it, particularly with regard to minerals and security.

He added: “It’s a deal that’s forever.”

 The White House did not provide any additional information or respond to questions about how the deal might affect Canada. In a statement to Global News, NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said that the meeting between Trump and Rutte was “productive” and focused on Arctic security, but she did not mention the possibility of the United States taking over Greenland as part of a future deal. “Discussions among NATO allies on the framework the president referenced will focus on ensuring Arctic security through the collective efforts of allies, especially the seven Arctic allies,” Hart said.

 “Negotiations between Denmark, Greenland, and the United States will go forward aimed at ensuring that Russia and China never gain a foothold — economically or militarily — in Greenland.”

Denmark’s foreign minister said the issue should be handled through private diplomacy rather than on social media.

 Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen stated to public broadcaster DR, "What is crucial for us is that we get to end this with respect for the integrity and sovereignty of the kingdom (of Denmark) and the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination." Rasmussen said he had spoken with Rutte but declined to provide details on what had been agreed.

 A request for clarification was not received from the government of Greenland. The head of NATO wants to keep the alliance united. Trump used his speech earlier Wednesday to insist that only the U.S. can protect Greenland from Russia and China and that Denmark, which he called “ungrateful,” and the rest of Europe’s defence capabilities were inadequate.

Rutte has spent his week in Davos stressing the need for NATO solidarity in the face of tensions over Greenland.

 According to a readout from the Prime Minister's Office, he and Carney agreed in a meeting earlier on Wednesday that the alliance was facing a "test" that requires ensuring Arctic security. Speaking to reporters before his private meeting with Trump, Rutte said NATO would stand with the U.S. if attacked after Trump used his speech to question whether it would come to America’s aid.

 Rutte told Trump, "You can be assured, absolutely," and he added, "Your allies will be with you."

Trump’s push to acquire Greenland has rattled Europe and the NATO alliance, as well as global stock markets, which rebounded Wednesday after the U.S. president ruled out military action.

Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen on Tuesday warned the territory should prepare for the unlikely event of a U.S. invasion, while people in Greenland and Denmark have protested against Trump’s demands.

 Trump further escalated tensions over the weekend by threatening tariffs on eight European countries that recently sent NATO troops to Greenland for Arctic security training missions.

 French President Emmanuel Macron raised the possibility of the European Union using its so-called "trade bazooka," or anti-coercion instrument, against the U.S. economy while European leaders pledged to retaliate if the tariffs were implemented. On Wednesday, leaders of those nations expressed relief at Trump's decision to rescind his threat of tariffs. “Good that Trump has now backed away from tariffs on those of us who have supported Denmark and Greenland,” Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said on X.

 The demands to move borders have been criticized appropriately. That is also why we have repeated that we will not be blackmailed.  It would appear that our cooperation with allies has had an effect. Nevertheless, despite Trump's withdrawal from the tariffs, a spokesperson for the council of the European Union stated that leaders will proceed with an emergency summit on Thursday. Lars Klingbeil, the Finance Minister of Germany, cautioned against being overly optimistic about the potential deal before its specifics were known.

Klingbeil stated to Germany's ZDF television, "It's good that they are engaged in dialog, but we have to wait a bit and not get our hopes up too soon." —With Reuters data files