US, NATO Discuss Greenland Framework amid Rare-Earth, Security Talks
Published on 1/22/2026
United States
Great Britain
Military & Defense
Trump and NATO outlined a Greenland framework to balance Arctic security, rare-earth access and basing, while Denmark insists sovereignty remains intact.
President Donald Trump said talks with NATO produced a framework for a potential Greenland and Arctic arrangement, while he stepped back from threatened tariffs on European allies.
At Davos, Trump and NATO leadership explored options that would address security concerns, mineral access and expanded basing; officials stressed no transfer of Danish sovereignty was agreed.
US comments highlighted Greenland's large, largely untapped rare-earth and strategic mineral deposits important for electronics and electric vehicles, and suggested a model similar to British sovereign bases in Cyprus—host-state sovereignty retained alongside foreign military facilities.
Denmark reiterated that sovereignty is non-negotiable but signalled willingness to discuss security, investment and economic arrangements. Greenlandic representatives demanded inclusion in talks: nothing about Greenland without Greenland.
The administration said it will pause proposed tariffs on several NATO partners while negotiations continue. Under existing agreements, the US already deploys personnel at Pituffik; proposals could expand presence or long-term access for equipment and mineral development.
Diplomats described the discussions as productive but warned that concrete terms on ownership, mineral rights and control of infrastructure remain unresolved and subject to further negotiation.