Trump Enters Negotiations, Establishes Framework for Greenland Agreement with NATO... Withdraws Tariffs and Rules Out Military Option

President Donald Trump of the United States announced on January 21 (local time) that he has established a framework for future agreements with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) regarding the issue of the annexation of Greenland. He withdrew his plan to impose tariffs on eight European countries, which was scheduled to take effect from February 1, and also ruled out the possibility of using military options to secure Greenland. Amid escalating tensions between the United States and Europe over the U.S.'s overt ambitions to annex Greenland, which had led to a standoff, this move is interpreted as an attempt to de-escalate and seek a diplomatic solution through negotiations.

Donald Trump, President of the United States. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Trump: "Established Framework for Greenland Agreement with NATO"... Withdrawal of European Tariffs and Exclusion of Military Force

On this day, President Trump stated via his own social networking service, Truth Social, "I had a very productive meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte," adding, "We have established the basic framework for future agreements not only regarding Greenland but also the entire Arctic region." He continued, "If this agreement is ultimately finalized, it will be an excellent outcome for the United States as well as all NATO member states," and added, "Based on this, we have decided not to impose the tariffs that were scheduled to take effect from February 1."

Previously, President Trump had announced plans to impose a 10% tariff on imports from eight European countries, including Denmark, which opposes the annexation of Greenland, starting February 1, and to raise it to 25% from June 1.

He also stated that additional discussions are underway regarding the plan to use Greenland as a base for the United States' next-generation missile defense system, the "Golden Dome," and that related details will be released as the talks progress.

President Trump met with Secretary General Rutte at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, to discuss the Greenland issue. It appears that this face-to-face meeting helped avert a crisis and laid the groundwork for partially resolving the conflict. Future negotiations will be handled by Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

President Trump also drew a clear line against the possibility of using military force to secure Greenland. In a special address at the Davos Forum, he stated, "People thought I would use force, but that is unnecessary," adding, "I do not want to use force, and I will not use it."

Such conciliatory remarks, including the withdrawal of European tariffs and the exclusion of military force, are interpreted as an intention to avoid a full-scale escalation of conflict in light of Europe's strong backlash and concerns about cracks in the 'Atlantic Alliance,' while entering a phase of full-fledged negotiations.

Trump: "Greenland Is Our Land"... Stresses 'Immediate Negotiations' for Territorial Incorporation

However, President Trump did not conceal his intention to incorporate Greenland as U.S. territory, making it clear that "immediate negotiations" are necessary.

In his speech, President Trump asserted, "Only the United States can protect this vast landmass, this giant chunk of ice," adding, "We can develop and improve Greenland to make it beneficial and safe for Europe, which will also benefit the United States." He further emphasized, "Ownership is necessary for defense," repeatedly stressing the need for complete control over Greenland.

He also stated that the U.S. request for the transfer of Greenland is merely a "small ask" compared to the security support the United States has provided to NATO member states for decades. He added, "What I am asking for is just a cold, poorly located piece of ice that can play a crucial role in world peace and security."

Furthermore, he claimed, "This huge and poorly defended island is actually part of North America on the northern front line of the Western Hemisphere," raising the level of his remarks to a territorial claim by stating, "That is our territory."

In particular, his statement about "immediate negotiations" is interpreted as an intention to prepare concrete proposals for the annexation of Greenland. Previously, in 1946, then-President Harry Truman secretly proposed to purchase Greenland for 100 million dollars, but the plan was rejected by Denmark.

"They Don't Know How to Be Grateful"-Criticism of Denmark and NATO... "Main Responsibility for Supporting Ukraine Lies with Europe"

President Trump also openly expressed his dissatisfaction with Europe and NATO. Referring to the fact that the United States protected Greenland during World War II and then returned it to Denmark, he criticized, "They don't know how to be grateful." He also hinted that the U.S. defense commitment to NATO could be reconsidered depending on Europe's response to the Greenland issue, warning, "If you say 'no' regarding the Greenland issue, we will remember that." He pointed out the 'security freeloading' of NATO member states and claimed that he increased each country's defense cost-sharing from 2% to 5% of GDP.

Regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, he made it clear that the main responsibility for supporting Ukraine lies with Europe. President Trump said, "We are thousands of miles away, separated by a vast ocean," adding, "This war is one that Europe, much more than the United States, should be responsible for and handle." He continued, "We have nothing to do with that war."