Trump’s Greenland Plan: The U.S. Seeks Military Base Zones

U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a “framework of a future deal” on Greenland marks a tactical de-escalation with allies while preserving his core demand: U.S. control that guarantees American security aims. The approach blends concession with coercion, dialing back tariffs and military threats even as sovereignty remains central. The talks, described by 3 senior officials, suggest Washington is probing how far NATO can stretch without fracturing.

Trump said on Wednesday evening that he and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had “formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region,” calling it “a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations.”

Though no further details were released, Rutte later said negotiations among Denmark, Greenland, and the United States would proceed to ensure Russia and China never gain a foothold in Greenland, economically or militarily. According to him, the priority was to block rival powers such as the Chinese and Russians.

His remarks seemingly align the deal with NATO’s broader Arctic posture, casting U.S. basing rights as a tool of exclusion and control rather than outright annexation.

Sovereignty as Security Instrument

Behind the announcement lies a concept discussed hours earlier in Brussels: U.S. sovereignty over small pockets of Greenland for military bases. According to 2 Western officials familiar with the meetings, the idea was modeled on the United Kingdom’s sovereign military base areas in Cyprus, long regarded as British territory. One official who attended the meetings drew the comparison directly while a second official briefed on the talks confirmed the model.

What’s being discussed is allegedly a framework that would expand American military access in Greenland, centering on the establishment of new U.S. bases on the island. Under the proposal, Washington would be granted sovereignty over these limited, clearly defined areas of Greenland to build and operate military facilities, a structure officials have likened to existing arrangements for sovereign foreign bases elsewhere, as in the case of Cyprus.

The analogy matters. British bases in Cyprus represent a narrow but durable form of sovereignty embedded within an allied state. Applied to Greenland, it would stop short of full transfer while exceeding leases or licenses.

Trump rejected lesser arrangements in Davos, insisting, “You need the ownership to defend it,” and adding, “Who the hell wants to defend a license agreement or a lease?”

“Nothing About Us, Without Us”

Greenlandic leaders pushed back sharply. Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of Denmark’s parliament, wrote on social media that NATO had “absolutely no mandate to negotiate anything whatsoever without us in Greenland,” adding, “Nothing about us, without us.” Her comments underscored local resistance and confusion created by parallel messages from Washington and Brussels.

Rutte’s office sought to limit expectations. A spokeswoman said he did not propose “any compromise to sovereignty” during his meeting with Trump in Davos.

Danish prime minister’s office did not immediately comment, reflecting the delicate balance European leaders are attempting to maintain.

Coercion, Then Restraint

The same day encapsulated Trump’s 2nd-term method: pressure followed by partial retreat. Hours before signaling a framework, he told leaders in Davos that the United States would not settle for anything less than ownership of Greenland and warned of economic consequences. He later ruled out force, saying, “I won’t do that… I don’t want to use force.”

Yet even as he withdrew threats of additional tariffs against European allies, Trump reminded the audience of his willingness to impose them. European officials seized on the pledge not to deploy troops as a positive note. “We’ve heard a lot worse,” said Rasmus Jarlov, chairman of Denmark’s parliamentary defense committee, adding he was “glad he’s ruling out military force,” while stressing Denmark would not hand over Greenland.