U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced he had reached a “framework” with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte for “a future deal with respect to Greenland” and “the entire Arctic region.”
Trump added he would no longer impose threatened tariffs on European nations over their support for the Danish territory next month as part of the deal framework, which he announced on his Truth Social platform.
“Based upon a very productive meeting that I have had with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, we have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region,” Trump wrote.
“This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations,” he added.
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“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. Further information will be made available as discussions progress. 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.
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Rutte and several European leaders, as well as Prime Minister Mark Carney, attended the annual forum this week and pledged support for the sovereignty of Greenland and Denmark, a NATO ally.
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It wasn’t immediately clear if the “solution” Trump announced would change anything about Greenland’s sovereignty or what it means for U.S. military presence in the territory. 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.
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“It’s a deal that everybody’s very happy with,” Trump told reporters after emerging from the meeting with Rutte.
“It’s a long-term deal. It’s the ultimate long-term deal. It puts everybody in a really good position, especially as it pertains to security and to minerals.”
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He added: “It’s a deal that’s forever.”
The White House declined to comment further, and wouldn’t answer Global News’ questions about how the deal could affect Canada.
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart told Global News in a statement that the meeting between Trump and Rutte was “productive” and focused on Arctic security, but did not reference a possible U.S. takeover of Greenland as being 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.”
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Denmark’s foreign minister said the issue should be handled through private diplomacy rather than on social media.
“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,” Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told public broadcaster DR.
Rasmussen said he had spoken with Rutte but declined to provide details on what had been agreed.
Greenland’s government did not reply to a request for comment.
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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.
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Rutte has spent his week in Davos stressing the need for NATO solidarity in the face of tensions over Greenland.
He and Carney agreed in a meeting earlier Wednesday that the alliance was facing a “test” that requires ensuring security in the Arctic, according to a readout from the Prime Minister’s Office.
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.
“You can be assured, absolutely,” Rutte told Trump, adding, “your allies will be with you.”
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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.
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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.
European leaders in Davos vowed to retaliate if the tariffs were enforced, with French President Emmanuel Macron raising the possibility of the European Union invoking its so-called “trade bazooka” or anti-coercion instrument against the U.S. economy.
Leaders of those countries expressed relief Wednesday that Trump was backing down from his tariff threat.
“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 about moving borders has received well-earned criticism. That is also why we have repeated that we will not be blackmailed. It appears that our work together with allies has had an impact.”
However, a spokesperson for the European Union council said leaders will proceed with an emergency summit on Thursday despite Trump pulling back on the tariffs.
Germany’s Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil warned against premature optimism over the possible deal before its details are known.
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“It’s good that they are engaged in dialog, but we have to wait a bit and not get our hopes up too soon,” Klingbeil told Germany’s ZDF television.
—With files from Reuters