U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that instead of pursuing the purchase of Greenland and threatening tariffs, he secured "total access" to Greenland through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Experts said it is an attempt to institutionalize influence in the military, security, and resource fields while lifting military and trade pressure.
On the 22nd, local time, during his attendance at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, President Trump met with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and disclosed this position.
According to Fox Business, President Trump said in an interview in Davos on the 22nd, local time, "We have secured total access to Greenland, and there is neither a time limit nor an end to it."
Trump explained that this access would enable his missile defense initiative, the "Golden Dome," and the securing of critical mineral resources. Previously, alongside remarks that he would buy Greenland, Trump rattled alliance ties by pressuring that he would impose high tariffs on Denmark if it refused. The latest comments are seen as effectively retracting that tariff threat.
The United States and NATO are expected to discuss modernizing the 1951 U.S.-Denmark defense agreement going forward. The agreement guarantees the U.S. the right to operate the Pituffik Space Force Base in Greenland and to move troops and equipment freely.
Reuters, citing a source who requested anonymity, reported that "the three parties—the United States, Denmark, and Greenland—decided to update the existing agreement through additional consultations." It is also being mentioned that it may include provisions restricting the strategic investments of China and Russia.
Secretary-General Rutte said, "Allies need to expand their Arctic security contributions to respond to threats from Russia and China," adding, "I hope to finalize the details early this year."
However, Denmark and Greenland, the parties concerned, distanced themselves strongly from Trump's phrasing of "total access." Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reiterated, "Sovereignty is not subject to negotiation."
Greenland Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen also said, "We welcome cooperation with the United States, but we can never tolerate any agreement that infringes on sovereignty," adding, "I was not even specifically briefed on what was included in the agreement concerning my country."
In Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, some citizens voiced confusion over the abruptly changing diplomatic message, saying, "An hour ago it felt like we were on the brink of war, and now they say all issues have been resolved."
Within Europe's leadership, distrust of Trump's abrupt diplomatic approach remains. European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas warned, "EU–U.S. relations took significant damage over the past week," adding, "Rifts among allies benefit only adversaries."
Still, markets breathed a sigh of relief as the tariff threat was withdrawn and the possibility of a military occupation was ruled out. European stocks rebounded, and major U.S. stock indexes recovered to near a record high that day.
Experts said the situation has only calmed temporarily, and structural issues remain. Mark Jacobsen, a professor at the Royal Danish Defence College, said, "During the Cold War, the United States already operated 17 bases in Greenland," adding, "An expansion of military activity itself is nothing new." He added, however, that "the biggest issues ahead are how far the Golden Dome buildout goes, the exclusion of China and Russia, and the scope of resource development."