President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he had secured what he described as total and permanent U.S. access to Greenland through a framework agreement with NATO. NATO’s leadership emphasized that member states would need to enhance their commitment to Arctic security to address potential threats from Russia and China.
The announcement comes after Trump stepped back from earlier threats to impose tariffs on European countries and ruled out using force to acquire Greenland, easing what had become a major point of tension in transatlantic relations. Despite the claims of a deal, the specific details remain unclear, and Denmark has reiterated that its sovereignty over Greenland is not negotiable. Denmark’s foreign ministry did not immediately comment on Trump’s latest statements.
Trump’s reversal initially triggered a rebound in European markets, though analysts noted concerns about potential long-term effects on transatlantic ties and business confidence. Speaking from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said the agreement would provide “total access” to Greenland without any time limitations, describing it as a permanent arrangement.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, also in Davos, said NATO’s senior commanders would now work out the practical details of the enhanced Arctic security measures. He expressed optimism that implementation could proceed quickly, possibly by early 2026, depending on NATO coordination.
This development marks a cautious de-escalation in a dispute that had raised tensions between the United States, Denmark, and NATO allies, while highlighting the strategic importance of Greenland and the Arctic region amid growing geopolitical competition.
