Trump announces 'framework' for a future deal on Greenland, drops NATO tariff threat
President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte have "formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland" and as a result he will not be imposing the tariffs he threatened on European allies who didn't agree to his takeover efforts.
"Based upon a very productive meeting that I have had with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, we have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region," Trump wrote in a social media post.
"This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations. Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the Tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1st," the president added.
His post did not provide further details on the "framework" for Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark.
Trump continued to be light on specifics during interviews with CNBC and CNN, particularly on whether the U.S. would have ownership of Greenland as he's demanded.
"Well, we have a concept of a deal. I think it's going to be very good deal for the United States, also for them, and we're going to work together on something having to do with the Arctic as a whole, but also Greenland, and it has to do with the security, great security, strong security and other things," Trump said on CNBC.
When pressed on whether U.S. ownership of Greenland was involved, Trump said he "didn't want to say yet" and it was "complex."
On CNN, Trump said the U.S. got "everything we wanted."
"It's the ultimate long-term deal, and I think it puts everybody in a really good position, especially as it pertains to security and minerals and everything else," Trump said.
He also told CNN the deal would be "infinite," saying: "It's a deal that's forever."
In an interview on Fox News later Wednesday, Rutte said the discussions with Trump on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland focused on Arctic security.
"How can we collectively make sure that we defend that Arctic region, therefore implementing his vision of that necessity, and he's totally right there, because we know that the region is opening up more and more," Rutte said. "The sea lanes are opening up more and more for the Russians and the Chinese and other adversaries to be active there, which is potentially a threat."
Asked whether Greenland would remain a Danish territory, the NATO chief said it was outside his purview.
"That issue did not come up anymore in my conversations tonight with the president," Rutte said.
A NATO spokesperson told ABC News that trilateral talks between the U.S., Greenland, and Denmark are ongoing. Earlier Wednesday, while speaking at the world Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump notably ruled out using military force to take control of Greenland.
"We probably won't get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force where we would be, frankly, unstoppable. But I won't do that," Trump said in his remarks.
Still, Trump argued no other country can defend Greenland but the United States and said he wanted "immediate negotiations" on the issue.
"All we're asking for is to get Greenland, including right, title and ownership, because you need the ownership to defend it. You can't defend it on a lease. No. 1, legally it's not defensible that way, totally. And No. 2, psychologically, who the hell wants to defend a license agreement or a lease which is a large piece of ice in the middle of the ocean, where, if there is a war, much of the action will take place on that piece of ice," Trump said.
As part of his Greenland push, Trump last week announced a new 10% tariff rate against eight European nations would go into effect next month. Those levies would later be increased to 25% until the U.S. is able to purchase Greenland, the president said.
Those threats resulted in European officials on Wednesday suspending a trade agreement with the U.S. worked out last summer.
ABC News' Chris Boccia contributed to this report.
