Trump Drops Threat of Tariffs Over Greenland

U.S. President Donald Trump says he has reached a “framework” for a future deal on Greenland, but leaders in Greenland and Denmark pushed back, saying no agreement exists and that talks cannot proceed without Greenland’s consent.

The announcement came after Trump met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday. The next day, Trump posted on Truth Social that the meeting had been “very productive” and claimed the discussions had established a “framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region.”

He also said that under this arrangement, the U.S. would not impose tariffs on eight European countries that opposed his bid to acquire Greenland.

Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, has long been considered strategically important because of its Arctic location. Trump has argued that the U.S. needs more influence there to counter Russian and Chinese activity, though Denmark has said there is no immediate threat.

Reports suggest one idea could allow the U.S. to operate small military bases on the island, similar to Britain’s bases in Cyprus. However, both Denmark and Greenland have rejected giving up any territory.

Trump said the framework was developed with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, though Rutte later clarified that sovereignty had not been discussed. 

Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt said she was concerned that negotiations were proceeding without Greenland at the table and insisted her government must be directly involved.