President Trump announced on January 21, 2026, that the U.S. had reached a “framework of a future deal” on Greenland with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, signaling a major geopolitical shift in the Arctic. The deal, unveiled at the World Economic Forum in Davos, has sparked global debate over sovereignty, security, and trade.
Trump Announces Framework for Future Deal on Greenland
On January 21, President Donald Trump has announced a “framework of a future deal” concerning Greenland, marking an abrupt shift after weeks in which he has issued increasingly aggressive threats about taking control of the Arctic island.
In a social media post, Trump has stated that the framework has been formed following a meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Earlier that day, during his remarks at the event, he has emphasized that the United States would not use force to claim the Danish territory.
“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 has said.
Trump has not specified the details of the agreement, only noting that “further information will be made available as discussions progress.” He has appointed Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to lead the negotiations.
He also has confirmed that additional discussions have been held regarding the Golden Dome missile defense system “as it pertains to Greenland.”
The system, initially referred to by the White House as the “Iron Dome for America,” has been proposed as a U.S. defense initiative inspired by Israel’s multi-layered system of the same name. It would create a collective “dome” of air defense through sensors and intercepting weapons designed to protect the United States from aerial attacks. Trump has also suggested that Canada could be included in the program.
Rutte has told Reuters that mineral exploitation has not been discussed during his meeting with Trump, adding that negotiations on Greenland would continue among the United States, Denmark, and Greenland.
A 1951 agreement between the United States and Denmark has established the U.S. right to construct military bases in Greenland and operate freely within Greenlandic territory, provided Denmark and Greenland are informed of American actions. Currently, the United States has operated one base on Greenland, and USA TODAY has reported this month that federal officials have been preparing to invest tens of millions of dollars into upgrading the Pituffik Space Base.
Trump Backs Off Tariff Threat
Alongside the framework announcement, Trump has declared that he would withdraw his threats to impose tariffs on eight of America’s closest European allies.
“This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations,” Trump has written in his January 21 post. “Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1st.”
The sanctions had pushed transatlantic relations to near-crisis levels over the weekend, as European nations had considered retaliating with significant economic and trade measures.
Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland have consistently resisted Trump’s efforts to seize the ice-covered Danish territory. His threats have sparked outrage in Denmark, where citizens have taken to the streets to protest and to express support for Greenland’s predominantly Indigenous population and their right to self-determination.
Denmark Reaffirms Sovereignty
Denmark has responded to Trump’s announcement by reaffirming that it would not compromise its sovereignty, though it welcomed further NATO investment in Arctic security.
Trump has argued that the United States needs Greenland because of its strategic location and mineral wealth, claiming the island is vulnerable to Russian and Chinese influence. Denmark and its NATO and EU allies have rejected this assertion, reiterating their long-standing commitments to Arctic security.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has stated that she has remained in close dialogue with NATO and has spoken to Rutte following his meeting with Trump. “We can negotiate on everything political—security, investments, economy,” she has said. “But we cannot negotiate on our sovereignty.”
Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt has described recent developments with the United States as “positive,” though she has acknowledged that uncertainty remains. “No formal agreement has been entered into regarding Greenland… The Government of Greenland has not asked the secretary general of NATO to negotiate on behalf of Greenland, but the secretary general has conveyed our position and red lines directly to President Trump,” Motzfeldt has explained.
