Trump Announces ‘Framework of a Future Deal’ to Acquire Greenland

President Donald Trump revealed Thursday that the United States has secured what he described as a “framework of a future deal” to acquire Greenland, following a consequential meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that is already reshaping strategic calculations across Europe.

The announcement, delivered from the World Economic Forum in Davos, sent immediate shockwaves through NATO and European capitals, where leaders have been racing to respond to the Trump administration’s assertive effort to bring the resource-rich Arctic territory under American control.

“Based upon a very productive meeting that I have had with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, we have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region,” Trump said in a statement posted to Truth Social. “This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations.”

As part of the developing arrangement, President Trump announced he would suspend a planned 10 percent tariff on eight European countries—Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland—that had been set to take effect February 1 in response to their military mobilizations near Greenland. Those tariffs were scheduled to rise to 25 percent in June.

“Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect,” Trump said, emphasizing that discussions with Rutte were “highly productive.”

The breakthrough follows months of escalating friction between Washington and Copenhagen over Greenland, a strategically indispensable Arctic landmass that hosts a U.S. Air Force base at Thule and occupies a commanding position between North America and Europe. The Trump administration has repeatedly underscored that the island’s geography and vast natural resources place it squarely at the center of U.S. national security interests.

Trump has been unequivocal on that point, arguing that Greenland’s status makes American leadership non-negotiable.

“No nation or group of nations is in any position to be able to secure Greenland, other than the United States,” Trump said earlier this week. “We’re a great power — much greater than people even understand. I think they found that out two weeks ago in Venezuela.”

“This enormous, unsecured island is actually part of North America on the northern frontier of the Western Hemisphere,” the President added. “That’s our territory.”

Ahead of the Davos meeting, Trump sharply criticized Denmark’s refusal to engage, calling it “shortsighted” and warning that there would be “consequences” for any European powers seeking to militarize the Arctic in opposition to U.S. interests. Referring to Rutte, Trump made clear where authority lies: “I’ll be discussing it with this man right here. He’s frankly more important.”

The White House confirmed that Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will spearhead negotiations on the Greenland acquisition and report directly to the President. Trump also disclosed that discussions are already underway regarding deployment of a new “Golden Dome” missile defense system to safeguard the Arctic region.

The announcement immediately ignited debate within NATO. While European officials have declined to comment publicly on the details, several have privately voiced concern that the United States could move unilaterally if Denmark continues to resist the deal.

Rutte, who assumed his post as NATO Secretary General in late 2025, reportedly assured Trump that he was “committed to finding a way forward on Greenland,” according to a text message the President shared on social media.

This marks the second time Trump has pursued the acquisition of Greenland. During his first term in 2019, he floated the idea as a “large real estate deal,” an effort that was largely dismissed by European elites at the time. Now, with American power reasserted on the global stage, the proposal is being taken far more seriously.

Trump’s renewed push comes amid a broader effort by his administration to restore U.S. dominance within global institutions and reclaim strategic regions neglected under previous leadership.

“If consummated,” Trump wrote in his official statement, “this solution will be a great one for the United States of America and all NATO Nations. Further information will be made available as discussions progress.”