INTERNATIONAL
NATO chief: Issue of whether Greenland stays with Denmark did not come up with Trump
US President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2026. - REUTERS
WASHINGTON: NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday the issue of whether Greenland will remain with Denmark did not come up in his talks with Donald Trump, as the U.S. president stepped back from threats of tariffs and ruled out the use of military force to take control of Greenland.
AI Brief
Rutte made his comments in an interview on Fox News' "Special Report with Bret Baier" show.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
Earlier in the day, Trump abruptly stepped back from threats to impose tariffs as leverage to seize Greenland, ruled out the use of force, and said a deal was in sight to end a dispute over the Danish territory.
After meeting Rutte, Trump said on Wednesday that Western Arctic allies could forge a new deal over the strategic island territory of 57,000 people that satisfies his desire for a "Golden Dome" missile‑defense system and access to critical minerals, while blocking Russia and China's ambitions in the Arctic.
Trump had previously repeatedly said Washington must own Greenland, an autonomous part of the kingdom of Denmark that houses a U.S. airbase, to prevent Russia or China from occupying the strategically located and minerals-rich Arctic territory.
KEY QUOTES
Rutte was asked if Greenland will still be "under the Kingdom of Denmark in this framework deal" that Trump mentioned.
"That issue did not come up anymore in my conversations tonight with the president," Rutte said in response.
"He (Trump) is very much focused on what do we need to do to make sure that that huge Arctic region - where change is taking place at the moment, where the Chinese and the Russians are more and more active - how we can protect it."
CONTEXT
Greenland and Denmark have said Greenland is not for sale. Denmark and the U.S are NATO members. Trump's foreign policy agenda has been cast by many experts as imperialist in nature.
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AI Brief
- Trump backed away from tariffs and force over Greenland, saying a deal is possible after meeting Rutte.
- The proposed framework centers on Arctic security, missile defense, and mineral access while countering Russia and China.
- Rutte said Greenland's status under Denmark was not discussed, reinforcing that the focus is regional protection, not ownership.
Rutte made his comments in an interview on Fox News' "Special Report with Bret Baier" show.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
Earlier in the day, Trump abruptly stepped back from threats to impose tariffs as leverage to seize Greenland, ruled out the use of force, and said a deal was in sight to end a dispute over the Danish territory.
After meeting Rutte, Trump said on Wednesday that Western Arctic allies could forge a new deal over the strategic island territory of 57,000 people that satisfies his desire for a "Golden Dome" missile‑defense system and access to critical minerals, while blocking Russia and China's ambitions in the Arctic.
Trump had previously repeatedly said Washington must own Greenland, an autonomous part of the kingdom of Denmark that houses a U.S. airbase, to prevent Russia or China from occupying the strategically located and minerals-rich Arctic territory.
KEY QUOTES
Rutte was asked if Greenland will still be "under the Kingdom of Denmark in this framework deal" that Trump mentioned.
"That issue did not come up anymore in my conversations tonight with the president," Rutte said in response.
"He (Trump) is very much focused on what do we need to do to make sure that that huge Arctic region - where change is taking place at the moment, where the Chinese and the Russians are more and more active - how we can protect it."
CONTEXT
Greenland and Denmark have said Greenland is not for sale. Denmark and the U.S are NATO members. Trump's foreign policy agenda has been cast by many experts as imperialist in nature.
Your gateway to global news, insights, and stories that matter.