President Donald Trump said he had secured a framework agreement granting the United States what he described as total and permanent access to Greenland, as NATO leaders called on allies to expand their role in Arctic security amid concerns about Russia and China.
The comments, delivered during the World Economic Forum in Davos, followed days of escalating rhetoric that had threatened to strain transatlantic relations before Trump ruled out the use of military force and withdrew proposed tariffs on European partners.
Details of the arrangement remain unclear, and Danish officials reiterated that Greenland’s sovereignty is not open for negotiation, underscoring unresolved divisions within the alliance.
Trump said discussions were ongoing and framed the emerging deal as providing unlimited U.S. access tied to national and international security needs.
“It’s really being negotiated now, the details of it, but essentially it’s total access,” he said in an interview from Davos.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said alliance military planners would now work through additional Arctic security requirements, expressing hope that concrete steps could be finalized by early 2026.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said no negotiations had taken place on sovereignty but acknowledged progress in coordinating common Arctic security efforts involving the United States, Denmark and Greenland.
Sweden’s prime minister said his country wanted to participate in an expanded allied presence in Greenland and the wider Arctic, reflecting a broader European response to the unfolding talks.
Diplomats said Trump’s earlier threats to seize Greenland and impose tariffs had already shaken confidence in the transatlantic relationship, prompting European leaders to reassess their dependence on Washington.
European Union officials warned that the episode highlighted the unpredictability of U.S. policy, even as markets rebounded following Trump’s reversal on tariffs.
Residents in Greenland’s capital expressed mixed reactions, welcoming the absence of force while remaining cautious about shifting U.S. intentions.
Russia’s president said Greenland’s ownership was not Moscow’s concern, while China rejected claims that it posed a threat in the Arctic.
Business leaders in Europe said lingering uncertainty risked lasting damage to trade confidence as negotiations continue without clear parameters.