US President Donald Trump has toned down his approach to acquiring Greenland, ruling out the use of military force and stepping back from threats to impose tariffs on European nations.
Trump announced a potential deal that would address American security interests in the Arctic while preventing Russian and Chinese expansion in the region.
The shift in tone comes after Trump’s meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday.
“It’s a deal that everybody’s very happy with,” Trump told reporters.
“It’s a long-term deal. It puts everybody in a really good position, especially as it pertains to security and to minerals”.
The US President For weeks, had threatened to impose escalating tariffs on eight European countries if they didn’t cooperate over Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark with 57,000 residents.
Trump emphasized that he doesn’t need to use force to acquire Greenland, saying, “People thought I would use force, but I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force”.
The change in approach has sparked buying on Wall Street, with the S&P 500 index posting its biggest one-day percentage gain in two months.
Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen has called for private diplomacy, emphasizing respect for Greenland’s sovereignty and the right to self-determination.
Trump’s comments on Greenland have overshadowed his visit to Davos, where he also criticized European nations on energy policy and immigration.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed the situation, saying, “What happens in Greenland is of absolutely no consequence to us”.
A NATO spokesperson confirmed that negotiations between Denmark, Greenland and the United States would move forward, aimed at ensuring Russia and China never gain a foothold in Greenland.
No date or venue was provided for such talks.
Trump said he had tasked Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff to handle further discussions.
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