United States President Donald Trump has said that Washington is exploring a potential future arrangement involving Greenland and the wider Arctic region following what he described as a “very productive” meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. His remarks have once again placed Greenland at the center of global geopolitical attention.
In a statement shared online, Trump claimed that the discussions resulted in what he called a “framework of a future deal.” He argued that such an arrangement, if finalized, would be beneficial not only for the United States but also for NATO and its member states. However, he did not provide specific details about the nature of this framework.
Trump also announced that, based on this understanding, he would pause the tariffs that were scheduled to take effect on February 1. The move has temporarily eased tensions, as the tariffs had been expected to spark a new trade dispute between the US and several European partners.
Despite Trump’s claims, diplomatic sources quoted in international media reports said there was no agreement that would grant the United States ownership or control of Greenland. The self-governing Danish territory remains firmly under Denmark’s sovereignty, and no formal proposal has been confirmed by NATO or Danish officials.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen reacted cautiously, saying the day ended on a more positive note. He indicated that Denmark is open to discussing US security concerns in the Arctic but emphasized that any dialogue must respect Denmark’s “red lines” and Greenland’s status.
After the NATO meeting, Trump told reporters that discussions could include access to mineral resources and broader security cooperation in the Arctic region. He also referenced continued talks on his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense concept, suggesting NATO allies could potentially play a role.
NATO officials stressed that the focus of the talks remains on preventing strategic rivals, particularly Russia and China, from gaining influence in Greenland. However, concerns were raised within Greenland itself, with a Greenlandic lawmaker criticizing negotiations that do not directly include Greenland, insisting that decisions about the territory should not be made without its involvement.
Also read: Trump Says US Needs Greenland ‘for National Security’
