In a surprising development from the World Economic Forum in Davos, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced the establishment of a preliminary framework agreement concerning Greenland and broader Arctic region cooperation. The declaration followed his Tuesday meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, which Trump characterized as “highly productive” through his Truth Social platform.
The proposed arrangement reportedly includes the withdrawal of threatened tariffs against eight European nations that had previously opposed Trump’s ambitions regarding Greenland. The semi-autonomous Danish territory has gained significant geopolitical importance due to its strategic Arctic positioning, with U.S. officials expressing concerns about increasing Russian and Chinese activity in the region.
However, both Danish authorities and Greenland’s leadership have swiftly contradicted Trump’s assertions, emphasizing that no formal agreement exists and that negotiations cannot advance without Greenland’s direct participation. The territory’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt expressed serious concerns about being excluded from preliminary discussions, insisting that her government must be centrally involved in any dialogue affecting Greenland’s future.
While reports suggest potential discussions about U.S. military installations similar to British bases in Cyprus, both Denmark and Greenland have consistently maintained that territorial sovereignty is not subject to negotiation. Secretary General Rutte subsequently clarified that sovereignty matters had not been part of their discussions, creating further ambiguity around Trump’s claims.