Davos, Switzerland. President Donald Trump ruled out using military force to acquire Greenland and said he would not proceed with tariffs he had threatened, following weeks of shifting messages that unsettled U.S. allies. Two sources familiar with internal conversations said senior aides had worked to accommodate Trump’s demands while easing the alarm they prompted among partners.
Shift on force and tariffs
Speaking on Wednesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said he would not use military force after weeks of declining to rule it out. He also said in a social media post that he would no longer impose tariffs he had threatened to implement on February 1.
Internal debate within the White House
Two White House sources said officials had urged a less provocative approach and that several key members of Trump’s team were unenthusiastic about potentially using military force to seize the Danish territory. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
Talks with NATO and deal framework claim
After saying tariffs were off the table, 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” during talks in Davos. He said he had tasked top officials with negotiating a potential deal.
White House response
Asked about aides not pursuing military options seriously, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said, “The White House does not rule out options for President Trump unless he does so himself.” She said Trump had announced he would not use force to take Greenland and that the administration would follow his lead, adding that if a deal is reached the United States would achieve its goals in Greenland at minimal long-term cost.
Greenland and Denmark reject overtures
Trump has argued in recent weeks that acquiring the Arctic island is vital to U.S. national security as great-power competition intensifies in the Arctic. The leaders of Greenland and Denmark, which oversees the territory, have rejected Trump’s overtures, saying the island’s future is for its people to decide and accusing the United States of bullying tactics.
Earlier tariff threat toward European allies
In a social media post on Saturday, Trump said he would implement increasing tariffs on European allies until the United States was allowed to buy Greenland. Major EU states denounced the move as blackmail.
What impact could Trump’s shift on Greenland and tariffs have on U.S. relations with European allies?
