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President Donald Trump has indicated a softer approach toward Greenland after high-level talks with Nato leaders, suggesting that a possible agreement is taking shape while stepping back from threats of sweeping tariffs on European allies.
In comments posted on social media, Trump said discussions had produced what he described as a "framework of a future deal" concerning Greenland and the wider Arctic region. He offered few specifics, but characterised the talks as constructive following weeks of rhetoric that unsettled transatlantic relations.
The remarks came after a meeting with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Trump had previously warned of imposing tariffs on several European countries, using trade pressure to push for a deal involving Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
Despite his renewed optimism, there was no indication that the talks met Trump's long-stated desire for outright ownership of the island. Both Danish and Nato officials stressed that sovereignty was not part of the discussion. Rutte later said the question of Denmark's control over Greenland did not arise in his conversation with the US president.
Trump framed the potential agreement as a long-term security arrangement, highlighting Greenland's strategic location in the Arctic and its largely untapped reserves of critical minerals used in modern technologies. He also suggested cooperation with allies on a proposed missile defence system, often referred to by him as a "Golden Dome".
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen struck a cautious but hopeful tone, saying the day had ended more positively than it began. He emphasised Denmark's willingness to discuss security, investment and economic cooperation, while making clear that Danish sovereignty remained non-negotiable.
Greenlandic representatives, however, voiced concern about being sidelined. One lawmaker in Denmark's parliament questioned why Nato would have any role in talks involving Greenland's resources, insisting that decisions about the territory must include its people directly.
Trump confirmed that, for now, planned tariffs on European goods would not go ahead, citing the new understanding reached with Nato partners. Speaking in Davos, he again ruled out the use of military force to achieve US aims, even as he repeated his belief that American leadership is central to Arctic security.
While negotiations are expected to continue, officials on all sides signalled that any future arrangement would require careful diplomacy to balance security interests with respect for national and regional autonomy.
