Greenlanders Skeptical of Trump's Announced Deal on Island Future After Davos Talks

Greenlanders reacted with scepticism on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump claimed he had reached a framework agreement resolving questions over the Arctic island’s future. The announcement, made during his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, followed weeks of heightened rhetoric in which Trump repeatedly expressed interest in bringing the autonomous Danish territory under US control.

Trump said the framework was discussed during talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte but offered few details about its contents. He did not clarify whether the arrangement involved any transfer of authority or sovereignty over Greenland, an omission that fuelled uncertainty among residents and political observers. The lack of specifics prompted doubts about what, if anything, had been agreed.

Several Greenlanders interviewed by Agence France-Presse in the capital, Nuuk, openly questioned Trump’s credibility. “Quite simply a lie. He’s lying,” said 47-year-old technician Mickel Nielsen, adding that he did not believe the US president’s claims. Others echoed similar sentiments, citing what they described as Trump’s history of shifting and contradictory statements.

NATO confirmed that discussions had taken place but stopped short of endorsing Trump’s characterisation. Alliance spokesperson Allison Hart described the conversation as “very productive” and said allies would examine a framework addressing US concerns about Greenland’s vulnerability to potential Russian or Chinese influence. She added that any negotiations would involve Denmark, Greenland, and the United States.

Despite these assurances, opposition within Greenland remains strong. Care worker Anak, 64, said she did not believe Trump and stressed that Greenland belongs to its people. Greenlandic Member of Parliament Aaja Chemnitz also pushed back firmly, saying NATO had no right to negotiate on Greenland’s behalf, particularly over territory or natural resources. A January 2025 poll found that 85 per cent of Greenlanders oppose joining the United States, while only six per cent support the idea.

Meanwhile, Trump announced later on Wednesday that he was canceling his planned tariffs on US allies in Europe, which he had linked to disputes over Greenland. Writing on Truth Social after meeting Rutte in Davos, Trump said the tariffs scheduled for February 1 would not take effect, citing the same “framework of a future deal” on Arctic security, though he again provided no details.