Trump keeps Macron under spotlight as Greenland talks grind forward from Davos
President Donald Trump has turned up the heat on European leaders as he looks to ink a deal for the U.S. to acquire Greenland, including a specific focus on French President Emmanuel Macron in recent weeks.
Trump was in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum Wednesday and Thursday, delivering a speech and holding bilateral meetings with foreign leaders at the annual conference that attracts foreign dignitaries, business leaders and celebrities to discuss the world’s economy.
The president’s visit to Switzerland came as he threatened to impose tariffs on eight European nations if no deal on the U.S. acquiring Greenland was achieved by Feb. 1. Initial tariffs would have begun at 10% on goods from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom, and was set to increase to 25% by June 1 if there is no deal by that point.
Trump has put many of Europe’s top leaders on notice as he looks to secure the deal, but he has taken an outsized focus on Macron.
TRUMP SAYS FRAMEWORK OF ‘FUTURE DEAL’ ON GREENLAND REACHED AFTER NATO TALKS AS TARIFFS PUT ON HOLD
The French president has meanwhile vowed from Davos that France will stand up to “bullies” and added that U.S. threats to impose tariffs in a bid to acquire Greenland was “fundamentally unacceptable.”
Trump announced Wednesday that he would not impose tariffs that were set to take effect, citing a “framework of a future deal” with NATO involving Greenland and the Arctic region.
“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 on Truth Social.
The French president was pulled into more U.S. headlines in early January, after the U.S. military successfully captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and his wife, which opened the floodgates to heightened discussions of the U.S. making moves to acquire Greenland from Denmark.
Days after Maduro’s capture and as talks of Greenland mounted, Trump joined House Republican lawmakers Jan. 6, when he imitated Macron’s accent while recounting how Trump pressured Macron to raise drug prices in France in 2025 as the U.S. looked to bring parity to its sky-high prescription costs compared to other nations.
“He’s a nice guy,” Trump said before launching into an accent and recounting their conversation in a viral moment.
Trump again put on a French accent to recount the same conversation he held with Macron Jan. 16 during a rural healthcare roundtable at the White House.
“I said, ‘Emmanuel,’” Trump recounted.
“‘Yes, Donald, Donald. Thank you so much for calling,'” he continued, using an accent to indicate Macron was speaking.
“I said, ‘You’re not going to like this call,'” Trump continued.
TRUMP’S ‘SMALL ASK’ FOR GREENLAND WOULD BE THE REAL ESTATE DEAL OF A LIFETIME
Trump recounted the story to show his long history as the deal-maker-in-chief and pressure Macron to raise France’s ultra-low government-set prices that Trump said let pharmaceutical companies shift costs onto Americans.
France was listed among eight countries facing additional tariffs if no Greenland deal is made. Trump singled out France early Tuesday morning when he shared a text message Macron sent Trump, which included the French leader saying, “I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland.”
“My friend, We are totally in line on Syria(.) We can do great things on Iran(.)” Macron wrote, according to the screenshot. “I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland(.) Let us try to build great things: 1) i (sic) can set up a g7 meeting after Davos in Paris on thursday afternoon. I can invite the ukrainians, the danish, the syrians and the russians in the margins 2) let us have a dinner together in Paris together on thursday before you go back to the us.”
The president also shared a text from NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on social media, who told Trump that he was “committed to finding a way forward on Greenland.”
“It just made my point,” Trump said in an interview with The New York Post of why he shared the messages. “They’re saying, ‘Oh gee, let’s have dinner, let’s do this, let’s do that.’ It just made my point.”
Simultaneous to talks on potentially acquiring Greenland, Trump extended invitations to a swath of foreign leaders to join the Gaza Board of Peace, which is styled as a new oversight body tied to the next phase of the Gaza peace plan that the Trump administration ironed out in 2025.
Macron turned the invitation down, with his office saying the Board of Peace proposal “goes beyond the framework of Gaza and raises serious questions, in particular with respect to the principles and structure of the United Nations, which cannot be called into question,” according to Politico.
TRUMP CHALLENGES CARNEY AT DAVOS, ASSERTS CANADA SHOULD BE ‘GRATEFUL’ FOR GOLDEN DOME MISSILE DEFENSE
Trump, again, targeted Macron with fiery comments when asked about the declined invitation.
“Oh, did he say that? Well nobody wants him, because he’s gonna be out of office very soon. That’s alright. What I’ll do is if they feel like hostile, I’ll put a 200% tariff on his wines and champagnes and he’ll join. But he doesn’t have to join. If he said that, you’re probably giving it to me a little bit differently, but if he actually did say that — but as you know, he’s gonna be out of office in a few months,” Trump said.
Macron’s term ends in 2027, and he is unable to run for a third consecutive term under French law.
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment on the president’s rhetoric focused on Macron and France’s role in a potential Greenland deal but did not immediately receive a reply.
Trump underscored from his speech in Davos Wednesday that “no nation or group of nations is in any position to be able to secure Greenland other than the United States.” Trump is looking to acquire the island from Denmark for national security purposes, citing its strategic location among the United States, Russia and China.
“All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland,” Trump said Wednesday from his speech at the World Economic Forum. “Where we’ve already had it as a trustee, but respectfully returned it back to Denmark not long ago after we defeated the Germans, the Japanese, the Italians and others in World War II, we gave it back to them.”
Trump also took a shot at Macron during his address to the body, remarking on the French president wearing sunglasses during public events before again recounting his prior discussion with him regarding drug prices.
TRUMP TELLS DAVOS US ALONE CAN SECURE GREENLAND, INSISTS HE WON’T ‘USE FORCE’
“I watched him yesterday with those beautiful sunglasses,” Trump said to the crowd. “What the hell happened?”
Macron spoke before the World Economic Forum Tuesday while wearing aviator sunglasses, sparking mockery and memes online. Macron’s office said he had worn them due to a burst blood vessel and need to protect his eyes.
“Competition from the United States of America through trade agreements that undermine our export interests, demand maximum concessions, and openly aim to weaken and subordinate Europe,” Macron said from Davos in a hit on Trump. “Combined with an endless accumulation of new tariffs that are fundamentally unacceptable – even more so when they are used as leverage against territorial sovereignty.”
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Fox News Digital reached out to Élysée Palace for comment from Macron’s office regarding Trump’s remarks but did not immediately receive a reply.
America doesn’t need to own Greenland — there’s a better, more peaceful way
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Trump backed off his threat to use the military to gain control of Greenland. He said that he doesn’t need to use military force and later announced that the U.S. had reached agreement on the “framework of a future deal” with NATO. Denmark, Greenland and our European allies have rejected any attempt by the U.S. to acquire the island.
Contrary to President Donald Trump’s views, the U.S. does not need to own Greenland to defend it. For decades, our national security has been strengthened by cooperative agreements with Greenland, Denmark and other NATO nations extending back to the Second World War.
During World War II, the Nazis occupied Denmark and had a military outpost in Greenland. The U.S. ousted the Nazis from Greenland and established military bases on the island. In 1951, the U.S. entered into an agreement with the Danish government providing for joint defense, and throughout the Cold War the U.S. maintained military facilities on the island. In 2004, the agreement was updated to give Greenland’s government a greater say in how U.S. military operations impacted its citizens.
TOP NATO OFFICIAL REVEALS DETAILS OF STUNNING MEETING WITH TRUMP THAT PRODUCED GREENLAND DEAL ‘FRAMEWORK’
In recent decades, the U.S., in cooperation with the Danish and Greenland governments, has maintained a limited military presence on the island. Under these agreements, the U.S. has had wide discretion in running military operations in Greenland for national defense. Danish and Greenland citizens now ask the obvious question: If President Trump wants to beef up the U.S. military presence in Greenland, why doesn’t he do it within the framework of existing agreements?
One argument used by President Trump is that the U.S. needs to own Greenland to secure rare earth mineral deposits on the island. The pretext for this claim is the decision by China to impose export controls on their rare earth mineral producers. The fact is that in recent years the U.S. has significantly reduced its dependence on Chinese rare earth minerals. Greenland has substantial reserves of rare earth minerals. However, access to these rare earth minerals is constrained by both technology and limited downstream facilities required to bring rare earth minerals to market. It will take many years to explore and develop Greenland’s rare earth minerals and bring them to market.
Greenland should retain control over its rare earth minerals and develop these resources to benefit its people. The proven way to do this is to rely on markets, not politics. Greenland should grant leases to multinational corporations in a competitive market. These lease agreements could generate royalties and revenue for Greenland based on market conditions. Greenland should place this royalty revenue in a sovereign wealth fund for the benefit of its citizens. The precedent for such a sovereign wealth fund is that created in Norway, the Government Pension Fund of Norway. The creation of a sovereign wealth fund could guarantee that these revenues are used to benefit Greenland’s people rather than elites, special interests, or foreign interests.
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The U.S. should support this approach to the exploration and development of rare earth resources in Greenland because it is in our national interests. In the long run, Greenland could emerge as a major partner in NATO, much like Norway. President Trump should pursue policies to strengthen NATO, not undermine it. Greenland and Denmark remain committed to this cooperative approach.
France says it has ‘no desire’ to boycott World Cup amid US-Greenland deal ‘framework’
France’s sports minister addressed questions about whether the country would consider boycotting the 2026 FIFA World Cup in response to the U.S.’s recent “framework” deal for control of part of Greenland.
French Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Life Marina Ferrari told reporters this week the country has “no desire” to skip the cup, which takes place in North America this year.
“As it stands now, there is no desire from the ministry for a boycott of this great competition,” Ferrari said. “Now, I will not anticipate what could happen, but I have also heard voices raised from certain political blocs. I am one who believes in keeping sport separate [from politics]. The World Cup is an extremely important moment for those who love sport.”
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Far-left French politician Éric Coquerel has called for the U.S. to be stripped of World Cup hosting rights and has suggested a boycott by France.
“Seriously, one imagines going to play the World Cup in a country who attacks its ‘neighbours,’ threatens to invade Greenland and rides rough shod over international law?” Coquerel told reporters.
Trump announced on Truth Social Wednesday that the framework for a deal has been made for the U.S. to gain control of parts of Greenland.
“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,” he wrote.
STATE DEPT TO START ROLLING OUT FIFA PASS FOR FOREIGN SOCCER FANS LOOKING TO ATTEND WORLD CUP IN US
“This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations,” Trump wrote in the post. “Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the Tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1st. Additional discussions are being held concerning The Golden Dome as it pertains to Greenland.”
During a speech at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Switzerland Thursday, Trump seemed to indicate that he would not use force to seize Greenland.
Despite similar calls for sanctions in response to Trump’s foreign policy, the U.S. has not been penalized by any major sports bodies for its recent intervention in Venezuela either.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has responded to calls to exclude the U.S. and its athletes from the upcoming Winter Olympics over the intervention in Venezuela. The committee ruled out any penalty on the U.S.
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“As a global organization, the IOC has to manage a complex reality. The IOC has to deal with the current political context and the latest developments in the world,” the IOC said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
“The ability to bring athletes together, no matter where they come from, is fundamental to the future of values-based, truly global sport, which can give hope to the world. For this reason, the IOC cannot involve itself directly in political matters or conflicts between countries, as these fall outside our remit. This is the realm of politics.”
Denmark’s prime minister insists sovereignty is non-negotiable as Trump announces Greenland deal ‘framework’
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is insisting that Denmark will not negotiate on its sovereignty despite President Donald Trump announcing a “framework” of a deal on Greenland has been reached.
In a statement, she indicated that the nation is open to discussions with allies as long as the engagement respects Denmark’s “territorial integrity.”
“Security in the Arctic is a matter for the entire NATO alliance. Therefore, it is good and natural that it is also discussed between NATO’s Secretary General and the President of the United States. The Kingdom of Denmark has long worked for NATO to increase its engagement in the Arctic,” Frederiksen noted in the statement, which was written in Danish.
“We have been in close dialogue with NATO and I have spoken to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on an ongoing basis, including both before and after his meeting with President Trump in Davos. NATO is fully aware of the position of the Kingdom of Denmark. We can negotiate on everything political; security, investments, economy. But we cannot negotiate on our sovereignty,” she asserted.
TRUMP UNLOADS ON BIDEN POLICIES FROM DAVOS, WARNS EUROPE TO DROP THE OLD PLAYBOOK
The Danish prime minister noted that “only Denmark and Greenland themselves can make decisions on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland. The Kingdom of Denmark wishes to continue to engage in a constructive dialogue with allies on how we can strengthen security in the Arctic, including the US’s Golden Dome, provided that this is done with respect for our territorial integrity.”
Her comments come after Trump announced on Truth Social that, “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.”
“This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations,” Trump wrote in the post. “Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the Tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1st. Additional discussions are being held concerning The Golden Dome as it pertains to Greenland.”
TRUMP TELLS DAVOS US ALONE CAN SECURE GREENLAND, INSISTS HE WON’T ‘USE FORCE’
During a speech at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Switzerland on Thursday, Trump seemed to indicate that he would not use force to seize Greenland.
While discussing NATO, he said, “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.”
“I won’t use force. All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland,” Trump said.
TOP NATO OFFICIAL REVEALS DETAILS OF STUNNING MEETING WITH TRUMP THAT PRODUCED GREENLAND DEAL ‘FRAMEWORK’
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In a post on X, Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, said, “We welcome that POTUS has ruled out to take Greenland by force and paused the trade war. Now, let’s sit down and find out how we can address the American security concerns in the Arctic while respecting the red lines of the KoD.”
Whoopi Goldberg warns ‘no country on this planet is safe’ if Trump successfully acquires Greenland
“The View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg argued Wednesday that if President Donald Trump can acquire Greenland, no country is safe from similar acquisitions by powerful leaders.
During a discussion on Trump’s push to take control of the island territory owned by Denmark, co-host Sara Haines said, “I do think he might get Greenland.”
“Greenland is not for sale,” fellow co-host Sunny Hosten declared.
Goldberg then warned, “Listen, if they allow him to do this, no country on this planet is safe.”
TRUMP CHALLENGES CARNEY AT DAVOS, ASSERTS CANADA SHOULD BE ‘GRATEFUL’ FOR GOLDEN DOME MISSILE DEFENSE
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump has said that acquiring Greenland is a matter of national security to keep Russia and China in check as polar ice melts and shipping lanes expand, but NATO allies have rejected the idea.
Trump declared in Davos, Switzerland, Wednesday that the U.S. is the only nation in a position to control and secure Greenland.
“We never asked for anything,” Trump said of the U.S. working with NATO. “And we never got anything. 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. OK, now everyone says, ‘Oh good.’ That’s probably the biggest statement I made because people thought I would use force. I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force.”
NEWSOM WARNS ‘PATHETIC’ FOREIGN LEADERS TO GROW A BACKBONE IN BIZARRE TAKEDOWN LIKENING TRUMP TO A T.REX
“Across the board, our NATO alliance, I really think is at risk at this point,” Hostin said in reaction to Trump. “Our allies are now speaking up vociferously. I mean, you saw them saying we — this is a new world order. This — and that should be something that should be — we should be very afraid of, because right now, with our alliance, China is on this side and Russia is on this side.
“Where will this sort of middle tier of countries go? They’re going to unite, and I think they may possibly go to China, which means that China becomes the new sort of ruler of the world order, and that is a scary. I think that is a very scary thing for us.”
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Haines praised NATO’s strength as an alliance of western powers, saying, “The second it were to dissolve or separate, we would become immediately vulnerable to Russia and China.”
Haines offered a theory that Trump’s apparent de-escalation — saying he will not use force to acquire Greenland — may be part of a calculated negotiation tactic, noting, “I absolutely think Donald Trump backed off on the military stuff because I think he might get Greenland.
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“I think he’s going to find a way, because if you start with an absurd demand, and then you come back and bring a more reasonable one.”
Top NATO official reveals details of stunning meeting with Trump that produced Greenland deal ‘framework’
After President Donald Trump announced a new Greenland “framework” had been agreed upon with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the NATO chief told Fox News’ “Special Report with Bret Baier” the U.S. forcibly taking control of Greenland from Denmark was not discussed during meetings between him and Trump in Switzerland during the World Economic Forum.
“That issue did not come up anymore in my conversations with Mr. President. He’s very much focused on what we need to do to make sure that that huge Arctic region, where change is taking place at the moment, where the Chinese and Russians are more and more active, how we can protect that,” Rutte said when pressed on the details of the reported “framework” that has been agreed upon.
Trump said the agreement resulted in his decision not to impose tariffs scheduled to go into effect Feb. 1.
“That was really the focus of our discussions,” Rutte insisted.
TRUMP’S ‘SMALL ASK’ FOR GREENLAND WOULD BE THE REAL ESTATE DEAL OF A LIFETIME
Trump announced the new “framework” for Greenland in a post on his social media site Truth Social Wednesday afternoon while at the World Economic Forum this week.
“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,” the president wrote. “Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the Tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1st. Additional discussions are being held concerning The Golden Dome as it pertains to Greenland. Further information will be made available as discussions progress.”
Trump noted that Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff will lead “the negotiations” and report directly to him.
TRUMP TELLS DAVOS US ALONE CAN SECURE GREENLAND, INSISTS HE WON’T ‘USE FORCE’
“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 earlier in the morning at the World Economic Forum. “Now everyone’s saying, ‘Oh, good.’ That’s probably the biggest statement I made because people thought I would use force. I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force.”
During the exclusive interview with Fox News, Rutte called Trump “totally right” about needing to shore up security in the Arctic region, noting that the chance of Russia or China becoming a threat in that region is increasing every day. The NATO Secretary General also praised Trump’s leadership in getting other NATO countries to pay more money for the alliance’s defenses.
“I would argue tonight with you on this program he was the one who brought a whole of Europe and Canada up to this famous 5%,” Rutte insisted, “which is crucial for us to equalize our spending, but also protect ourselves. And this is the framework which you see in his post that we will work on.”
Rutte also noted that increased volatility between NATO-aligned countries, Russia and China underscored the need to shore up security in the Arctic region.
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The NATO chief was asked whether he thought other countries were dealing with the Russians and the Chinese differently than they have in the past.
“It’s not up to me to comment on what individual allies are doing in terms of their relationship with China,” Rutte responded. “I think collectively, as NATO, we have a position. The position is that we should not be naive. I can tell you’ll regret these huge investments the Chinese are making in the military. They are not there to organize parades in Beijing, and the military in Russia are not there to organize parades in Moscow. They are there to be used.”
Trump slams UK island handoff deal that could put key US military base at risk
President Donald Trump dramatically reversed course Tuesday on a U.K. plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while warning it could jeopardize U.S. access to the Diego Garcia military base.
Trump’s reversal highlights what a defense expert called a “new Trump Doctrine” before linking the president’s opposition to the Chagos deal with his Greenland push and citing fears Mauritius could later back out.
Writing on his Truth Social platform Tuesday, Trump called the U.K.’s Chagos decision “an act of great stupidity.”
“Shockingly, our ‘brilliant’ NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital U.S. Military Base, to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER,” Trump wrote. “There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness.”
TRUMP ISSUES STERN WARNING TO NATO AHEAD OF VANCE’S HIGH-STAKES GREENLAND MEETING
“Trump has done a 180, partly because of the U.K.’s support for Denmark’s sovereign claims over Greenland and partly because of a new strategy outlined by the White House,” John Hemmings, director of the National Security Center at the Henry Jackson Society, told Fox News Digital.
“These moves are linked and part of a ‘new Trump Doctrine’” outlined in November’s National Security Strategy,” he explained.
“Diego Garcia is a potential threat to Beijing’s strategy to control vital shipping lanes between the oil-rich Middle East and China’s industrial heartland,” he added, describing how “nearly 23.7 million barrels of oil transit the Indian Ocean every day, with the base being vital in any U.S.-China conflict over Taiwan.”
TRUMP TELLS DAVOS US ALONE CAN SECURE GREENLAND, INSISTS HE WON’T ‘USE FORCE’
In a separate post, Trump explicitly linked the Chagos dispute to his Greenland push.
“The U.K. giving away extremely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY, and is another in a very long line of national security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired,” Trump wrote.
The Chagos Islands were separated from Mauritius during Britain’s decolonization process, a move the International Court of Justice ruled unlawful in 2019.
The U.K. later agreed to transfer sovereignty while leasing Diego Garcia back for at least 99 years at a cost of at least $160 million annually.
Diego Garcia is a hub for long-range bombers, logistics and power projection across the Middle East, the Indo-Pacific and Africa. Around 2,500 personnel, mostly American, are stationed there.
TRUMP DOUBLES DOWN ON GREENLAND PUSH AS POLLS SHOW LITTLE PUBLIC SUPPORT
“If Mauritius were to offer the islands to China after taking de jure control, it would put immense pressure on the U.S. in the eyes of international public opinion,” Hemmings explained.
“After all, once Mauritius has de jure sovereignty, it can renegotiate the lease terms or even renege on the treaty at any time it wants.
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“It might also provide access to the exclusive economic zone, with all of its rich fishing grounds, to Chinese fishing fleets, adding another layer of risk to U.S. Air Force operations around the island,” Hemmings said.
“At this moment, the U.S. base at Diego Garcia is thought to be secure, with Mauritius promising the U.K. (and by proxy, the U.S.) a 99-year lease, which will not, it is supposed, interfere with the operations of the air base at all. But the devil is in the details.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.
Trump says framework of ‘future deal’ on Greenland reached after NATO talks as tariffs put on hold
President Donald Trump said Wednesday he will not impose tariffs that were set to take effect Feb. 1, citing a “framework of a future deal” with NATO involving Greenland and the Arctic region.
“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 on Truth Social.
Trump said the deal, if finalized, “will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations,” adding that the agreement led him to halt the planned tariffs.
“Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the Tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1st,” he said.
TRUMP CHALLENGES CARNEY AT DAVOS, ASSERTS CANADA SHOULD BE ‘GRATEFUL’ FOR GOLDEN DOME MISSILE DEFENSE
Trump added that talks are continuing, saying, “Additional discussions are being held concerning The Golden Dome as it pertains to Greenland,” and said Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff will lead negotiations and “report directly to me.”
In a spray later in the afternoon at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the president said the proposed deal framework “gets us everything we need to get.”
“The deal is going to be put out pretty soon, we’ll see. It’s right now a little bit in progress, but pretty far along,” Trump said to reporters. “It gets us everything we need it to get.”
NATO CHIEF PRAISES TRUMP AT DAVOS, SAYS HE FORCED EUROPE TO ‘STEP UP’ ON DEFENSE
After being asked by another reporter about what NATO Secretary Rutte had to say during their meeting, Trump simply referred to him as “a great leader” and “fantastic.”
“The Secretary General was representing the other side, which is really us too, because, you know, we’re a very important member of NATO,” he said. “I’ve done a lot for NATO. And it’s really nice. I mean, it’s a deal that everybody’s very happy with.”
NATO confirmed to Fox News Digital in a statement from Spokesperson Allison Hart that negotiations are aimed “at ensuring Russia and China never gain a foothold” in Greenland.
“The Secretary General had a very productive meeting with President Trump during which they discussed the critical significance of security in the Arctic region to all Allies, including the United States,” Hart said in a statement.
“Discussions among NATO Allies on the framework the President referenced will focus on ensuring Arctic security through the collective efforts of Allies, especially the seven Arctic Allies. Negotiations between Denmark, Greenland, and the United States will go forward aimed at ensuring that Russia and China never gain a foothold – economically or militarily – in Greenland,” Hart added.
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“If this deal goes through, and President Trump is very hopeful it will, the United States will be achieving all of its strategic goals with respect to Greenland, at very little cost, forever,” White House Spokeswoman Anna Kelly said to Fox News Digital. “President Trump is proving once again he’s the Dealmaker in Chief. As details are finalized by all parties involved, they will be released accordingly.”
Trump’s ‘small ask’ for Greenland would be the real estate deal of a lifetime
President Donald J. Trump wants Greenland. Full title, ownership papers, and no, he’s not interested in a lease right now. “It’s the United States alone that can protect this giant mass of land, this giant piece of ice,” Trump said in his speech to the ritzy World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday, Jan. 21. He appears one step closer to getting his wish.
“I’m seeking immediate negotiations to once again to discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States,” he told the leaders assembled at Davos. “It’s a small ask,” he quipped.
Five hours later, Trump announced “the framework of a future deal” on Truth Social. No need to take a chainsaw to NATO. The tariff weapon worked again – and fast. Brokered by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who said he already had a solution in the works, the framework was good enough for Trump to cancel the Feb. 1 tariffs he threatened to impose on NATO allies including Denmark and Britain.
Don’t be shocked by Trump’s tactics. There’s smart thinking behind Trump’s bid for Greenland. The post-1945 world order shunned boundary changes. Trump sees it differently. “This enormous, unsecured island is actually part of North America,” Trump said. The U.S. hasn’t done a major land deal since Spanish-American War of 1898, and the last purchase was the Marshall Islands in 1947.
TRUMP SAYS HE WILL NOT USE MILITARY FORCE TO ACQUIRE GREENLAND
“I won’t use force,” Trump assured the audience. Of course not. Trump won’t stoop to the illegal seizure tactics of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He’s not going to steal Greenland. The last thing he wants is paratroopers in Arctic gear dropping into Greenland.
Outright acquisition of Greenland for the USA would be the #1 real estate deal of Trump’s career. However, Trump’s primary motive, wisely, is national security. The territory of Greenland is a genuine, urgent concern. “Those missiles would be flying right over the center of that piece of ice,” he said, adding that U.S. ownership is vital to “keep our very energetic and dangerous potential enemies at bay.”
On strategic grounds, Trump is right. Russia’s formidable new Yasen-class nuclear submarines, based on the Kola peninsula, can launch Kalibr and Oniks missiles, and the new hypersonic Zirkon missile. Russian bombers and anti-submarine planes are active – just ask the Norwegians, who intercepted Russian planes yet again on Jan. 6. Chinese ships and submarines are prowling around, too.
You can just imagine the scary briefing charts Deputy Secretary of Defense Stephen Feinberg and others are showing Trump as they lay out the architecture for Golden Dome.
The buyer is “highly motivated,” as the real estate agents say.
TRUMP CHALLENGES CARNEY AT DAVOS, ASSERTS CANADA SHOULD BE ‘GRATEFUL’ FOR GOLDEN DOME MISSILE DEFENSE
So here comes the art of the deal. At Davos, Trump unleashed every real estate tactic from threats to pleas to scoffing at the value of this “big, beautiful piece of ice.”
As you’d expect when preparing for negotiations, Trump proceeded to run down the commercial value of Greenland’s critical mineral resources. He called Greenland “a piece of ice, cold and poorly located.” Trump also criticized the current owner, Denmark, for failing to invest and maintain the place. According to Trump, Denmark pledged an additional $200 million for Greenland’s defenses back in 2019 but didn’t deliver.
All those are classic real estate tactics.
NATO CHIEF PRAISES TRUMP AT DAVOS, SAYS HE FORCED EUROPE TO ‘STEP UP’ ON DEFENSE
Then there was the emotional appeal. After decades of security presence in Europe, “we’ve never gotten anything” from NATO, Trump said. “All we’re asking for is to get Greenland, including right, title and ownership,” Trump whined. Switching gears, he pointed out that a U.S. takeover would be a good deal for NATO. U.S. ownership of Greenland “would greatly enhance the security of the entire alliance,” Trump offered.
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No doubt swinging the acquisition of Greenland for the USA would be the No. 1 real estate deal of Trump’s career. However, Trump’s primary motive, wisely, is national security. The territory of Greenland is a genuine, urgent concern.
To be sure, he loves the history. Trump described how the U.S. saved Greenland from Nazi Germany (which is true). Then the U.S. Army Air Forces ran ferry routes to England for B-17 bombers, P-38 Lightning fighters, C-47 cargo transports and many other warplanes via airfields on Greenland. Trump is sorry Democrat President Harry S. Truman gave it back after World War II.
Yet this is no imperialist or mercantilist grab. Trump does not want to make money off Greenland; on the contrary, he wants to spend it. On Golden Dome. And all the P-8 anti-submarine warfare planes and other assets to defend Greenland.
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Trump likes Rutte and called him “great” at Davos. Rutte, who was prime minister of the Netherlands, now has to find a way to give Trump a stake in Greenland. It may take a treaty, a joint venture, a defense compact, or a flag-planting real estate deal, but there’s no going back. Trump at Davos made clear that his continued enthusiasm for Ukraine and NATO depends on securing legal access to Greenland in order to improve U.S. defenses.
Let the negotiations begin.
Trump challenges Carney at Davos, asserts Canada should be ‘grateful’ for Golden Dome missile defense
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the United States should control Greenland to build a large-scale “Golden Dome” missile defense system he claimed would also protect Canada, arguing that the country depends on U.S. security.
“We’re building a Golden Dome that’s going to, just by its very nature, going to be defending Canada. Canada gets a lot of freebies from us, by the way. They should be grateful also,” Trump told attendees at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“But they’re not. I watched your prime minister yesterday. He wasn’t so grateful. They should be grateful to us, Canada. Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements,” he said, referring to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s address on Tuesday.
TRUMP DOUBLES DOWN ON GREENLAND PUSH AS POLLS SHOW LITTLE PUBLIC SUPPORT
It remains unclear whether Canada will take part in the construction of the Golden Dome, an ambitious missile defense system unveiled by the White House in May, though Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday that the Trump administration has invited Ottawa to participate.
“Greenland is strategically important for [Trump’s] Golden Dome project to protect the U.S. and he’s invited Canada into that if they want to pay their share,” Bessent said during an interview with CNBC in Davos.
The Trump administration has estimated the system will cost roughly $175 billion and will use space-based sensors, interceptors and other advanced missile defense technologies.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated in a May report that the space-based interceptors could cost between $161 billion and $542 billion over 20 years.
HEGSETH ORDERS SWEEPING ARMY OVERHAUL AND CONSOLIDATION AIMED AT COUNTERING CHINA AND GOLDEN DOME CAPABILITIES
Carney, in his speech at the World Economic Forum, did not mention Trump by name in his address, but warned that the rules-based international order is breaking down as “great powers” increasingly use economic and security leverage to coerce allies.
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He argued that “middle powers” like Canada must heed the “wake-up call” that compliance does not guarantee safety, and instead, build strength through diversification, collective action and respect for sovereignty.
Carney also reaffirmed Canada’s support for Greenland and Denmark’s right to determine Greenland’s future, signaling opposition to territorial or economic pressure tied to security demands.