President Donald Trump on Jan. 21 revealed that the framework of an agreement on the future of Greenland had been established after talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The news came just hours after the president told the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland - in no uncertain terms - that the US aimed to acquire the Arctic island. During his address, Mr. Trump ruled out the use of military force to take Greenland.
The president wrote on Truth Social that, based upon his talks with Rutte, "we have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region." He added that punitive tariffs set to go into effect Feb. 1 against European countries resisting his bid for Greenland are now suspended.
In Davos, Trump made it known that Greenland would play a central role in his plans for a "Golden Dome" missile defense system that would eventually protect the US, Canada, and other NATO countries against attack. While no timeframe has been announced, the president said Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, and special envoy Steve Witkoff would lead negotiations and "report directly to me."
