NYT: Trump says NATO reached Greenland deal, US may control military bases

US President Donald Trump said he had reached a framework deal with NATO on Greenland, hours after officials discussed the possibility of the US controlling land for military bases, according to three senior sources.

Trump’s announcement came as part of a series of moves that appeared to ease tensions with European allies over Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, Caliber.Az reports via The New York Times.

He also withdrew the threat of additional tariffs on European countries that had resisted his insistence on owning Greenland and said he would not use force to assert American ownership.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had “formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region,” without providing specific details. He added, “This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America and all NATO Nations.”

Officials familiar with discussions in Brussels on Wednesday said that a territorial compromise had been explored, but it was unclear whether the idea of the United States holding sovereignty over small pockets of Greenland for military bases was part of the announced framework. One official compared the concept to the United Kingdom’s bases in Cyprus, which are regarded as British territory. A second official confirmed that the Greenland proposal was modelled on the Cypriot example.

When asked for details, NATO stated: “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.”

Rutte did not disclose details of the possible framework. Allison Hart, a spokeswoman for Rutte, said he “did not propose any compromise to sovereignty during his meeting with the president in Davos.” The Danish Prime Minister’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, rejected Trump’s remarks. “What we are witnessing these days in statements from Trump is completely absurd. NATO has absolutely no mandate to negotiate anything whatsoever without us in Greenland,” she said in a social media post. “Nothing about us, without us. There is total confusion being created.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Trump had told European leaders in Davos, Switzerland, that he would not settle for anything less than the United States taking ownership of Greenland. He had threatened severe economic and security consequences if his demands were not met.

Addressing heads of state, business leaders and other world figures, Trump insisted on Greenland’s strategic importance. “Without us, most of the countries don’t even work,” he said, calling for “immediate negotiations” to transfer ownership of the semiautonomous island to the United States.

The day reflected Trump’s approach to global policymaking: alternating between coercion and concession to pursue what he considers a key part of his legacy. “We probably won’t get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force where we would be, frankly, unstoppable,” Trump said. “But I won’t do that. That’s probably the biggest statement, because people thought I would use force. I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force. All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland.”

Despite the pledge not to use force, Trump reiterated threats to European leaders, referencing prior unilateral tariffs and possible new measures against Denmark and other countries aligned with Greenland.

Some European officials took encouragement from his remarks, particularly his commitment to avoid military action. Rasmus Jarlov, chairman of the defence committee in Denmark’s Parliament, said: “We’ve heard a lot worse. I’m glad he’s ruling out military force. I didn’t see in his remarks today an escalation. He insists he wants Greenland, but that’s not new. Of course, we still insist that we are not handing over Greenland.”

However, Trump left little room for compromise. Many European leaders have said they cannot cede ownership of Greenland but might agree to arrangements that increase US presence there. Trump dismissed such proposals, saying, “You need the ownership to defend it. Who the hell wants to defend a license agreement or a lease?”

By Aghakazim Guliyev