A few hours after his aggressive speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday afternoon, the American president allowed a glimmer of de-escalation to appear in his confrontation with Europe over the Greenland issue. In a post on the Truth Social platform, Donald Trump announced that he is withdrawing the threat of imposing tariffs on European countries, citing the achievement of a “framework for a future agreement” regarding Denmark’s autonomous territory, following his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

“This solution, if completed, will be excellent for the United States of America and for all NATO member states. Based on this understanding, I will not impose the tariffs that had been scheduled,” the American president wrote in his post, having earlier stated in his speech that he ultimately does not intend to use military force to acquire Greenland.

In an interview with CNBC shortly afterward, Trump said that “we have the (general) idea of an agreement.” As he explained, the talks concern broader cooperation in the Arctic, with Greenland at the center, and are mainly linked to security issues.

The U.S. president avoided giving details about the content of the agreement, noting that it is a “fairly complex” framework that will be presented in detail at a later stage. He stressed that it is a long-term agreement, stating characteristically that “it will last forever.”

Although he did not refer to specific terms, he indicated that the emerging agreement could include cooperation between the United States and their European allies in the development of the “Golden Dome” missile-defense shield and in the extraction of minerals in Greenland.

Alongside Greenland’s strategic position, the United States has repeatedly referred to the island’s vast—and largely untapped—reserves of rare earth elements, many of which are critical for technologies such as mobile phones and electric vehicles.

Rutte: The issue of sovereignty was not discussed

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the issue of Greenland’s sovereignty and whether it will remain an autonomous territory of Denmark was not raised in the talks he held with Trump on Wednesday.

Asked by Fox News whether Greenland will remain part of Denmark under a potential future agreement, Mr. Rutte replied that the matter “was not raised during (his) discussions with President” Trump of the United States.

The discussion “focused on what we need to do to protect this vast Arctic area, where changes are taking place, where the Chinese and the Russians are becoming increasingly active,” said the Dutch head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

It is recalled that Trump had previously rejected the idea of leasing Greenland, saying that “you defend ownership. You don’t defend leases.”

A ‘UK–Cyprus–type’ plan?

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said in a statement following the meeting between Trump and Rutte: “Negotiations between Denmark, Greenland, and the United States will move forward with the aim of ensuring that Russia and China never gain a foothold—economic or military—in Greenland.”

However, one of the two Greenlandic members of the Danish parliament questioned why NATO should have any say in the island’s mineral wealth. “NATO under no circumstances has the right to negotiate anything without us, Greenland. Nothing about us without us,” said Aaja Chemnitz.

According to U.S. media, the potential plan could allow the United States to build additional military bases on Greenlandic territory.

Officials who participated in Wednesday’s NATO meeting told the New York Times that a model for the planned agreement could be similar to the British bases in Cyprus, which are part of the British Overseas Territories.

Under existing agreements with Denmark, the United States can deploy as many military forces as it wishes in Greenland. It already has more than 100 military personnel permanently stationed at the Pituffik base, at the northwestern edge of the territory.

Reactions from Denmark and Trump’s barbs

During the question-and-answer session, a journalist conveyed to Trump the position of the Danish foreign minister, who is reportedly rejecting any discussion of the United States acquiring Greenland. The American president replied that he does not like being informed “secondhand” and that, if there is a disagreement, he would prefer to be told directly.

Asked when he would discuss the matter with Denmark, Trump said he would speak with Mark Rutte, adding pointedly: “Frankly, he is more important.”

Skepticism in Greenland over the statement about an agreement

Donald Trump’s announcement of a “framework agreement” on the Greenland issue was met with strong skepticism on the autonomous island, part of Denmark, which the American president has made clear he covets.

Greenlanders who spoke to Agence France-Presse in Nuuk, the capital, appeared to maintain their reservations upon hearing the news, or said they do not believe the Republican billionaire.

“It’s simply a lie. He’s lying,” said Mikkel Nielsen, a 47-year-old craftsman. “I don’t believe anything he says—and I think I’m not the only one,” he insisted.

At the Swiss ski resort of Davos, which hosts the World Economic Forum, Mr. Trump asserted, without going into details, that he agreed on the framework of a future agreement for Greenland during his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Mr. Rutte had a “very productive discussion” with the American president, said the spokesperson for the head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

“Who, Trump? I don’t believe him,” was the reaction of Anak, a 64-year-old nursing assistant.

“Greenland is the country of the Greenlanders. You can’t just acquire it like that, for any reason. Certainly not if you’re Trump,” she added.

A similar reaction came from Miki, who asked that his surname not be disclosed.

“He says one thing and, two minutes later, says the opposite. It’s hard to believe him,” explained the 31-year-old man.