Washington — President Trump mentioned he is not going to be imposing tariffs in opposition to European international locations over their objections to his efforts to acquire Greenland, revealing Wednesday that he and the secretary-general of NATO reached “the framework of a future deal” relating to the island.
“This resolution, if consummated, might be an ideal one for the USA of America, and all NATO Nations. Based mostly upon this understanding, I can’t be imposing the Tariffs that have been scheduled to enter impact on February 1st,” the president wrote in a Truth Social post from Davos, Switzerland, following a gathering with NATO Secretary-Basic Mark Rutte.
In an interview with CNBC shortly after his publish, the president mentioned “we’ve an idea of a deal” and that he thinks it will likely be “an excellent deal for the USA, additionally for them.”
“We’ll work collectively on one thing having to do with the Arctic as a complete, but additionally Greenland. And it has to do with the safety, nice safety, robust safety, and different issues,” he mentioned.
He declined to supply specifics of the framework, saying “it is a bit of bit advanced” and that the U.S. will “clarify it down the road.” He did observe that the settlement would final “perpetually.”
“It is the form of a deal that I needed to have the ability to make,” Mr. Trump informed CNBC.
Two diplomatic sources informed CBS Information chief international affairs correspondent and “Face the Nation” moderator Margaret Brennan that that there is no such thing as a settlement for U.S. management or possession of Greenland. The framework of the deal, based on the sources, would ramp up safety for Greenland past the existing 1951 U.S. agreement, which allowed the U.S. to determine a number of army bases on the island, though the one one that’s nonetheless working is Pituffik Area Base, previously Thule Air Base. It will additionally improve NATO’s function with the particular intent of blocking Russia and China from gaining a foothold in Greenland, the sources mentioned. However such a deal would nonetheless must be instantly negotiated with Denmark and Greenland.
U.S. possession of the territory remains to be a purple line for Denmark and Greenland, the sources mentioned.
NATO was equally tight-lipped about particulars of the association. In an announcement, Allison Hart, a spokesperson for the alliance, mentioned Mr. Trump and Rutte’s assembly was “very productive” and that they “mentioned the crucial significance of safety within the Arctic area to all Allies, together with the USA.”
“Discussions amongst NATO Allies on the framework the President referenced will deal with guaranteeing Arctic safety via the collective efforts of Allies, particularly the seven Arctic Allies,” Hart mentioned. “Negotiations between Denmark, Greenland, and the USA will go ahead aimed toward guaranteeing that Russia and China by no means achieve a foothold — economically or militarily — in Greenland.”
Denmark’s international minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, additionally issued an announcement, saying the day “is ending on a greater observe than it started.”
“We welcome that President Trump has dominated out to take Greenland by drive and paused the commerce battle with Europe. Now, let’s sit down and learn the way we are able to deal with the American safety issues within the Arctic whereas respecting the purple strains of the Kingdom of Denmark,” it mentioned.
The president addressed the annual assembly of worldwide leaders on the World Financial Discussion board earlier within the day and reiterated his insistence that the U.S. must personal the semi-autonomous Danish territory for safety causes. However, for the primary time, he dominated out the usage of army drive to take management of the island, and mentioned he was as a substitute “in search of quick negotiations” over the territory.
Over the weekend, the president threatened to impose 10% tariffs on eight European international locations that opposed his Greenland push starting subsequent month, and mentioned the tariff would improve to 25% if the U.S. didn’t purchase the island. The specter of a commerce battle with longstanding allies sent shockwaves via European capitals, with leaders scrambling to handle the risk and defend Greenland and Denmark’s autonomy earlier than gathering in Davos.
Mr. Trump has argued that proudly owning Greenland is crucial for finishing his “Golden Dome” missile protection protect, and that NATO ought to again his acquisition of the territory to defend in opposition to Russia and China. In his Fact Social publish, he mentioned that discussions over the missile protect will proceed.
“Extra discussions are being held regarding The Golden Dome because it pertains to Greenland,” he mentioned. “Additional info might be made out there as discussions progress. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Particular Envoy Steve Witkoff, and numerous others, as wanted, might be liable for the negotiations — They may report on to me.”
