Trump Reaches 'Framework' on Greenland With NATO, Drops Tariff Threat

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte have reached a framework for a future deal on Greenland and the broader Arctic region, prompting him to cancel planned tariffs on several European nations.

The announcement followed a meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

"We have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region," Trump posted on Truth Social. "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."

Trump had threatened a 10 percent tariff on goods from Denmark, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland starting Feb. 1, escalating to 25 percent on June 1 if those countries did not support U.S. control of Greenland.

The tariffs were framed as punishment for resisting his push to acquire the Danish territory.

In his Davos speech earlier Wednesday, Trump ruled out military force.

“I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force,” he said.

He described Greenland as "a piece of ice" and vented frustration at Denmark’s resistance.

“We want a piece of ice for world protection," the president said, "and they won’t give it. 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 highlighted the historical context, noting U.S. control of Greenland during World War II after the Nazi occupation of Denmark.

"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?” he said.

He insisted U.S. ownership is essential to counter potential Chinese and Russian influence, adding, "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."

When asked if the framework still requires full U.S. ownership, Trump deflected, noting, "It’s a long-term deal. It’s the ultimate long-term deal, and I think it puts everybody in a really good position, especially as it pertains to security and minerals and everything else."

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly stated: “The details of the framework will continue to be unveiled as discussions continue.”

Trump told CNBC the agreement represents "pretty much the concept of a deal" and could last "forever."

Negotiations will be led by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart said the framework focuses on Arctic security through collective allied efforts, particularly the seven Arctic nations, to prevent Russian or Chinese economic or military footholds in Greenland.

European officials expressed skepticism.

"After the back and forth of the last few days, we should now wait and see what substantive agreements are reached between Mr. Rutte and Mr. Trump," Germany’s Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil told ZDF. "No matter what solution is now found for Greenland, everyone must understand that we cannot sit back, relax, and be satisfied."

The European Parliament’s International Trade Committee had frozen work on a U.S.-EU trade deal hours earlier in response to the tariff threats.

"By threatening the territorial integrity and sovereignty of an EU member state and by using tariffs as a coercive instrument, the US is undermining the stability and predictability of EU-US trade relations," Committee chair Bernd Lange stated.

Stock indexes, including the Nasdaq, S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average, posted modest gains following the tariff cancellation.

Trump’s bold Arctic gambit has exposed raw transatlantic fractures, reminded the world that American power still bends allies to its will when the stakes involve strategic real estate and rare-earth dominance, and proved once again that tariffs remain the sharpest tool in the presidential toolbox, deployed, then holstered, to extract concessions without firing a shot.