In his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, US President Donald Trump once again made it very clear what he wanted: the US to acquire Greenland. A little later, however, on his social network Truth Social, he announced that he had reached an agreement in principle on the framework for a possible future agreement on security in the Arctic with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
What is known about the deal?
So far, only fragments are known, writes the German public media ARD. For example, that the deal should include a stronger commitment - military and financial - of NATO countries in the Arctic region. In addition, the US should be given a say in other countries' investment projects in Greenland, writes ARD.
However, a central element of the deal, according to circles close to NATO, will be a revision of the so-called Greenland Treaty of 1951, which regulates the deployment of armed forces in Greenland. This must take into account the planned American anti-missile system "Golden Dome", which Trump wants to build on the world's largest island.
The Greenland Treaty allows the US armed forces to use the island for military purposes if they take over its defense, the German media recalls in this regard. The US used to have several bases on the island, but almost all of them have since been closed. Today, only one is operational - the US Pituffik space base. However, the treaty allows the US to increase its military presence at any time - at its own discretion, writes ARD.
US sovereignty only over certain territories?
With a possible amendment to the so-called Greenland Treaty, the US could theoretically gain sovereignty over certain territories in Greenland in order to be able to establish military bases there. This means that jurisdiction over these military bases would belong to the Americans, not the Greenlanders or the Danes.
In this regard, Cyprus can serve as an example: on the Mediterranean island, Britain has maintained military bases for decades, occupying about three percent of the Cypriot territory. They are governed by the Ministry of Defense in London and have their own police and judicial system.
How do the Greenlanders react?
The main problem with the deal between Trump and Rutte is that neither Greenland nor Denmark participated in the negotiations, the ARD publication further says.
The Greenlanders themselves are cautiously optimistic, with the majority of them opposed to the US demands. Regarding the possible partial surrender of sovereignty, Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said that he did not agree with the transfer of sovereignty over the military bases to the US: "We are ready to discuss many things", he said. "But sovereignty is a red line."
Greenland's representative in the Danish parliament, Aaja Chemnitz, believes that the latest statements by Trump and Rutte are "a bluff". "We can discuss defense and NATO's common mission in the Arctic, but we cannot talk about minerals in Greenland without Greenland's participation or about Greenland's belonging without Greenland itself and Denmark. That makes no sense", Chemnitz told the Danish media DR.
What is Denmark saying?
Denmark expressed some relief after Trump's latest statements, but Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stressed that the NATO secretary general does not have a mandate to negotiate. Her country is not ready to give up its sovereignty. "Our red lines are the same as they have always been and will remain so," Frederiksen told the Danish television DR. According to her, the future of Greenland should be determined by Greenland itself, which is part of Denmark.
The Danish Prime Minister also stressed that Denmark is in favor of "constructive dialogue with allies on how to strengthen security in the Arctic – including through the American "Golden Dome" – as long as this is done with respect for our territorial integrity," ARD quoted her as saying. However, Frederiksen is categorical about where the red line is drawn: the sovereignty of Denmark and Greenland is not up for discussion.
What comes next?
One thing is clear: difficult negotiations are ahead. However, it remains completely unclear what could happen if Trump does not get what he was promised – or what he believes he was promised.
On Wednesday, NATO said: "Negotiations between Denmark, Greenland and the United States will continue with the aim of ensuring that Russia and China never set foot in Greenland - neither economically nor militarily".
The Alliance discussions will focus on ensuring security in the Arctic through joint action by Allies, in particular the seven Arctic allies: the United States, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland.