President Trump announced he has a “framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland” and will not impose tariffs on Europe like he threatened to do.
“We have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region,” he wrote on Truth Social after his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
“This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations. Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the Tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1st,” he added.
It is a major breakthrough on the most contentious issue facing Trump and Europe. No immediate details on the framework were available.
Trump has been vocal in his desire to own the island in the North Atlantic and Denmark has been just as vocal about keeping it in their possession.
As European leaders pushed back on Trump’s desire to own Greenland, the president got tough.
Earlier this week he threatened a 10% tariff “on any and all goods” sent from the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland to the US. He said it would begin February 1 and increase to 25% on June 1.
But now he’s rescinded that plan, saying Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will lead discussions on Greenland.
Greenland was the main topic of the president’s speech to the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, where he ruled out using military force to take the island.
“I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force.”
“All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland,” he added.
Here’s the latest on Trump’s negotiations with Greenland
- Trump says he ‘won’t use force’ to acquire Greenland, demands ‘immediate negotiations’
- Greenland ‘critical’ for US to fend off ballistic missiles from Russia and beyond: experts
- EU boss dramatically calls for ‘permanent’ independence from US over Trump’s Greenland threats
- Denmark deploys extra troops to Greenland as Trump ramps up focus on territory
- European stocks fall sharply after Trump threatens tariffs over Greenland
And he vented his frustration at Denmark’s resistance to forking over Greenland on Wednesday, calling the island a “piece of ice.”
“We want a piece of ice for world protection — and they won’t give it,” he said.
“So they have a choice. You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no, and we will remember.”
Trump noted that the US ruled Greenland during World War II after Denmark was overrun by Nazi Germany and that “after the war, we gave Greenland back to Denmark. How stupid were we to do that? But we did it. But how ungrateful are they now?”
“We’ve never asked for anything else and we could have kept that piece of land and we didn’t sell,” he went on. “They have a choice. You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative — or you can say no and we will remember.”
Trump repeated his assertion that the US must own Greenland to prevent Chinese and Russian control, and noted its strategic location.
“If there is a war, much of the action will take place on that piece of ice, think of it. Those missiles will be flying right over the center of that piece of ice,” he said.
In his announcement on the framework, Trump said part of the deal would include discussions on The Golden Dome, the defense system he wants to put into place to shield America from any incoming missiles.
