From military installation to access to minerals: What's inside 'framework' deal that led to Trump back off Greenland tariff threat on European allies
US President Donald Trump dropped planned tariffs on European allies after announcing that Washington had reached a preliminary framework for a potential deal on Greenland following talks with NATO leaders at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
The tariffs, which were scheduled to take effect on February 1, had been threatened against European countries that opposed Trump’s push to acquire Greenland. Trump said the move was no longer necessary after what he described as productive discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States and NATO had made progress on Arctic security and Greenland.
“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. This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America and all NATO nations,” Trump said.
He added that tariffs would now be shelved.
“Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1. Additional discussions are being held concerning the Golden Dome as it pertains to Greenland. Further information will be made available as discussions progress. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and various others, as needed, will be responsible for the negotiations, they will report directly to me. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” he added.
NATO later confirmed that Rutte had held “very productive” talks with Trump on Arctic security.
Trump rules out force, demands talks
Earlier in the day, Trump used his Davos address to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland for the first time, though he continued to press Denmark for negotiations.
“We probably won’t get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force, where we would be, frankly, unstoppable, but I won’t do that,” Trump said.
Trump’s shift marked a retreat from earlier rhetoric that had alarmed US allies and raised concerns about transatlantic stability. According to sources familiar with internal discussions, senior aides had spent weeks trying to manage the fallout from Trump’s statements while reassuring European partners.
What is the Greenland framework?
While Trump did not disclose details of the framework, reports, including by The Telegraph, suggest the proposal stops short of outright annexation and instead focuses on formalising the US military presence on the island.
The framework is understood to draw inspiration from Britain’s sovereign base model in Cyprus, under which the UK retains full sovereignty over military bases while the host country remains independent.
Under a similar arrangement for Greenland, the United States would designate certain military zones as sovereign base areas, allowing American forces to operate without requiring Danish approval. These areas could also enable expanded intelligence activities, training operations, and access to mineral-rich regions, including rare earth elements.
American military installations in Greenland would be treated as US territory, easing Danish concerns that Washington was pursuing full ownership of the semi-autonomous Danish territory.
“The idea was to give Trump a deal,” a diplomatic source said, according to The Telegraph.
What happened in the meeting?
According to The Telegraph, NATO negotiators, during their discussions with Trump, criticised French President Emmanuel Macron’s use of “bazooka” language, a move described as an effort to align with Trump’s negotiating style.
Negotiations involving Denmark, Greenland, and the United States are expected to continue, with the stated aim of preventing Russia and China from establishing either an economic or military presence on the island.
“Negotiations between Denmark, Greenland, and the United States will go forward aimed at ensuring that Russia and China never gain a foothold – economically or militarily – in Greenland.”
The proposed framework would also allow the United States to more easily deploy assets linked to its planned “Golden Dome” missile defence system in Greenland, further strengthening its military footprint in the Arctic.
The proposal would also make it easier for the US to position assets belonging to its prospective Golden Dome there.
Arctic security and minerals in focus
The Arctic has become a growing strategic priority for Washington amid concerns over Russia and China’s expanding presence in the region. Trump has repeatedly framed Greenland as critical to US national security and access to key minerals.
The United States already operates military facilities in Greenland and enjoys wide freedom of movement across designated defence zones. The proposed framework would formalise and potentially expand these arrangements.
Tariff rollback raises new questions
Trump publicly linked the framework to his decision to abandon tariff threats against European allies, arguing that economic pressure was no longer required.
Despite the announcement, key questions remain about what concessions, if any, Washington has made in return and how the framework would be implemented.
Asked whether the administration had ruled out military options entirely, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said, "The White House does not rule out options for President Trump unless he does so himself."
"He announced today that he will not use force to take Greenland, and the entire administration will follow his lead," she added, saying a deal would allow the US to achieve its goals at minimal long-term cost.
Trump later declined to outline ownership details, describing the issue as “a little complex.”
The developments come as NATO military officials separately discussed possible territorial compromises during meetings in Brussels, according to senior Western officials, adding to speculation that a Greenland arrangement could reshape Arctic security without triggering a rupture among allies.
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