US President Donald Trump has announced that there is a “framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland”.
The statement came as a surprise after days of tensions, culminating with a threat to impose economic sanctions on eight European countries that have opposed his plans to seize the world’s largest island.
Paulin Kola from the BBC reports what this deal could entail and whether it will be acceptable to Denmark and Greenland.
What has been said about the framework deal?
“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,” said President Trump on his Truth Social media.
“This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America and all Nato Nations.”
He did not give details, but said talks would continue to reach a deal.
Rutte said he had not discussed Danish sovereignty over Greenland with Trump.
Denmark believes the issue remains unresolved and insists any agreement must be negotiated by Greenland, Denmark, and the US.
Nato spokeswoman Allison Hart said negotiations among Denmark, Greenland, and the US will aim to prevent Russia and China from gaining a military or economic foothold in Greenland.
However, one of two Greenlandic lawmakers in the Danish parliament, Aaja Chenmitz, said, “Nato in no case has the right to negotiate on anything without us, Greenland. Nothing about us without us.”
Is there any detail about the possible deal?
Denmark and Greenland’s comments about sovereignty being non-negotiable. appeared to push back on reports that among the ideas being mooted unofficially is an arrangement similar to two military bases in Cyprus, which are controlled by the UK.
The New York Times quotes anonymous officials as saying one idea under discussion is for Denmark to cede sovereignty over small areas of Greenland where the US would build military bases, as in the UK model.
Trump cited threats from Chinese and Russian vessels near Greenland, though defence officials report no increased threat recently.
On this point, Nato allies have tried to reassure the US that they will boost security in the Arctic, and Mark Rutte told Reuters news agency on Thursday that the framework deal would also require this contribution.
“We will come together in Nato with our senior commanders to work out what is necessary,” he said, adding, “I have no doubt we can do this quite fast. Certainly, I would hope for 2026, I hope even early in 2026.”
The UK has proposed setting up an Arctic Sentry, similar to Nato’s approach in the Baltic Sentry—a mission boosting ship surveillance in the Baltic Sea after critical undersea cables were cut.
Will any deal short of ‘ownership’ please Trump?
The US has had a military presence in Greenland since after World War II.
The 1951 Denmark-US agreement allows the US to station unlimited troops in Greenland, where over 100 US personnel are permanently stationed at the Pituffik base.
The US does have military bases in many countries, but they do not constitute sovereign territory.
Trump stated that a lease agreement over Greenland is not sufficient.
“Countries have to have ownership, and you defend ownership, you don’t defend leases. And we’ll have to defend Greenland,” he said two weeks ago.
He threatened to use force to acquire the island, but made a U-turn in Davos, dropping the threat to the relief of his Nato allies.
NATO was founded in 1949 on the principle that an attack on one ally is an attack on all, intended to address threats from outside. Denmark has indicated that a military attack would end the trans-Atlantic alliance, where the US is the major partner.
Why does Trump want Greenland?
Trump has tried to buy Greenland from Denmark since his first term; other US presidents have also attempted this.
Trump says the US needs Greenland to protect against possible attacks from Russia and China.
He has said Greenland is key to his Golden Dome defence system, intended to protect the US from missile attacks, and that European allies could join this effort.
The US cites Greenland’s strategic location and its vast, untapped rare earth mineral reserves, crucial for modern technology.
Trump has not claimed the US seeks Greenland’s riches, but says US control over the island “puts everybody in a really good position, especially for security and minerals.”
“It’s a deal that’s forever.”
