U.S. President Donald Trump has agreed to pause discussions regarding the potential purchase of Greenland, following a period of heightened tensions with Denmark and Europe. Trump stated the deal “gets everything we wanted” and will be in force “forever,” though he hesitated when asked if the U.S. would gain sovereignty over the island.
Trump Pauses Pursuit of Greenland
Trump’s threats had triggered a transatlantic crisis, with warnings that he could destabilize NATO. His shift in tone eased concerns in Denmark, a long-standing U.S. ally, where his earlier language was met with shock.
“Trump said that he will pause the trade war, he says, ‘I will not attack Greenland’,” Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told Danish public television DR. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said the U.S. and Europe were “now on the path to de-escalation.”
Trump has repeatedly asserted the U.S. deserves Greenland, arguing it would be responsible for defending the island against Russia or China, despite neither country having any claim to it. He previously criticized Denmark as “ungrateful” for refusing to cede the Arctic island, and the issue was a central topic during his address to the World Economic Forum.
“I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force. All the US is asking for is a place called Greenland,” Trump said.
Before Trump’s apparent turnaround, Greenland’s Government unveiled a new brochure offering advice to the population in the event of a “crisis” in the territory, describing it as an “insurance policy.”
Trump repeatedly referenced Greenland in his speech, mistakenly calling it Iceland several times. He also criticized Europe on security, tariffs, and the economy, stating it was “not heading in the right direction.”
Europe and Canada had previously united against what they perceived as a threat to the U.S.-led global order stemming from Trump’s territorial ambitions. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney received a standing ovation at Davos for warning of a “rupture” to the system, while French President Emmanuel Macron stated Europe would not be bullied.
Trump renewed his attacks on Macron, mocking his use of sunglasses at Davos. He also expressed hope for a swift end to the Ukraine war and anticipated a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Davos.
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said that allies would discuss the framework which addresses Trump’s claims that the island is not protected from Russia or China. “Negotiations between Denmark, Greenland, and the US will go forward aimed at ensuring that Russia and China never gain a foothold – economically or militarily – in Greenland,” she said.
The shift in tone also brought relief to global markets, with Wall Street’s key indices climbing.
“I think it puts everybody in a really good position, especially as it pertains to security, and minerals and everything else,” Trump said. “It’s a deal that people jumped at, really fantastic for the USA, gets everything we wanted.”
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