Greenland’s sovereignty not up for negotiation, Denmark says after Trump eases threats

“We can negotiate on everything political; security, investments, economy. But we cannot negotiate on our sovereignty,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a statement. “I have been informed that this has not been the case either.”

“Only Denmark and Greenland themselves can make decisions on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland,” she added.

Denmark sought to continue talks with its allies over strengthening security in the Arctic, “provided that this is done with respect for our territorial integrity,” she said.

Trump also provided little information about the compromise he said he reached with Rutte.

The “solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations,” he said in a post on his Truth Social platform. He added that he would no longer be imposing tariffs on eight NATO allies that had been scheduled to start Feb. 1.

Some of Trump’s American supporters cheered on his more muscular approach to diplomacy with longtime U.S. allies.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who has for decades championed the transatlantic alliance, said that the president had convinced him that “providing the United States legal title to Greenland through a lawful and fair process” was the best option.

He also chided and caricatured the European approach.

“Weak and humorless is no way to go through life,” he posted on X. “The European model of giving great speeches then sipping schnapps, all while failing to stand up to evil doesn’t work.”

Still undoubtedly bruised, European officials will hope Thursday’s focus at Davos centers on Ukraine, which is still fighting off Russia’s near four-year invasion amid the internecine, diplomatic chaos engulfing its Western backers.

Speaking at a breakfast meeting focused on the conflict, Rutte urged leaders to “keep our eyes on the ball of Ukraine.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Davos on Thursday and is set to meet with Trump. Meanwhile, Putin is scheduled to meet with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.