US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he secured a satisfying Greenland deal framework. He dropped threats to seize the island from Denmark by force and impose tariffs on European allies.
The shift followed talks with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Rutte called the Davos meeting “very good” but noted much work remains.
At the World Economic Forum, Trump described a long-term pact for Greenland and the Arctic region. He stayed silent on US control, despite past demands.
“We have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region,” he posted on Truth Social.
Tariffs Scrapped
Trump will cancel up to 25 percent tariffs vowed for February 1 on Denmark and allies like Britain, France, and Germany. These nations sent troops to Greenland in support.
The deal “gets everything we wanted” and lasts “forever,” he told reporters including AFP.
On sovereignty over the vast, sparsely populated island, Trump paused. “It’s the ultimate long-term deal.”
“It puts everybody in a really good position, especially on security, minerals, and everything else,” he added. “People jumped at it—fantastic for the USA.”
NATO’s Role
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said Denmark, Greenland, and the US will negotiate to block Russia and China from gaining economic or military footholds in Greenland.
Trump’s reversal eased global markets rattled by the rift. Wall Street indices rose.
His threats sparked a major transatlantic crisis, with fears he could shatter NATO over a member state.
Reactions in Denmark
Denmark, a loyal US ally, felt guarded relief from Trump’s aggressive tone.
“Trump will pause the trade war and not attack Greenland—these are positive,” Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told DR television.
Lokke met Vice President JD Vance in Washington last week but found no shift on US control ambitions.
Greenlandic lawmaker Aaja Chenmitz questioned NATO’s say over island minerals. “Nothing about us without us,” she posted.
Local Sentiments
In Nuuk, crisis brochures circulated. Pensioner Lis Steenholdt, 65, trusted the system. “Greenland and Denmark stood firm—it’s not for sale.”
Trump argues the US, NATO’s powerhouse, must defend Greenland from Russia or China, though neither claims it.
In his first Davos speech in six years, Trump called Denmark “ungrateful” but ruled out force. “All the United States asks for is Greenland.” He mistakenly called it Iceland repeatedly.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron warned of global order risks. Trump mocked them, including Macron’s sunglasses due to an eye condition.
