U.S. President Donald Trump revealed a potential breakthrough on Greenland after NATO talks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, while scrapping his tariff threats against several European nations.
The meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte yielded an outline for a deal spanning Greenland and the Arctic region, averting a looming trade clash. Trump hailed it on Truth Social, noting benefits for the U.S. and allies without yielding on his push for control of the Danish territory.
He called the exchange “very productive,” stating “We have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region. This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will update him directly. NATO aims to curb Russian and Chinese gains there.
Greenland attracts the U.S. for its missile defence potential and rare earth minerals vital to tech and vehicles. Trump told reporters “It’s the ultimate long-term deal. It puts everybody in a really good position, especially as it pertains to security and to minerals. It’s a deal that’s forever.” Rutte confirmed sovereignty stayed unmentioned, while existing U.S. bases like Pituffik could grow.
Trump dropped planned 10% tariffs—rising to 25%—on UK, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, French, German, Dutch, and Finnish goods after the talks, declaring “Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the Tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1st.”
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen welcomed it, saying “The day is ending on a better note than it began” and urging talks respecting Denmark’s boundaries.
Greenlandic lawmaker Aaja Chemnitz rejected NATO’s role, asserting “NATO in no case has the right to negotiate on anything without us, Greenland. Nothing about us without us.”
In his first Davos speech in six years, Trump sought quick negotiations sans force, warning “We probably won’t get anything unless I decide to use excessive force. We’d be unstoppable, but we won’t do that” and “You can say yes and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no and we will remember.”