Donald Trump says the deal he claims to have reached on Greenland will give the US “total” and indefinite access to the Danish territory.
Speaking to reporters on his way back from Davos, Trump said the deal would be “much more generous to the United States, so much more generous”, while skirting questions on the territory’s sovereignty.
Greenland's prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen welcomed Trump's decision earlier this week to rule out military action but said “I don't know what there is in the agreement, or the deal, about my country.”
Greenlandic MPs have raised concerns that Nato and the US are negotiating a deal without their input, and say Greenland must be at the table on discussions around its future.
Meanwhile, Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen arrived on the island on Friday to speak with Greenlandic leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen, after visiting Keir Starmer in the UK on Thursday.
European leaders welcomed the winding down of tensions with Washington over Greenland, but were still shaken on Friday after Donald Trump cast doubt on Nato’s commitment to the US, claiming allied troops who came to America’s aid after 9/11 stayed “off the frontlines” in Afghanistan.
Stock up on food and bullets: Greenlanders told how to prepare for invasion after Trump threat
What is in Trump’s Greenland ‘deal’ – and what is missing?
Uncertainty lingers for Greenlanders following Trump’s Davos speech: ‘We don’t sleep well’
Jimmy Kimmel trolls Trump over Greenland speech with savage jab at Melania
Trump-Greenland latest: Key points
- I've secured total access to Greenland, US president claims
- Trump claims European troops avoided Afghanistan frontline
- Trump deal 'would give US sovereign claim to military bases' on Greenland
- US wants Greenland's minerals, spokesman says
- Trump officially launches controversial ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza in Davos ceremony
Merz hails European solidarity in new era of great powers
16:15 , James ReynoldsSpeaking during a joint news conference with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Merz adds that the two leaders had spoken with one another almost every day about how to deal with the "difficult issue" of Greenland given the US bid to acquire the Arctic island.
"We are striving for a united Europe and a strong NATO in a new era of great powers," he said.
"Together with Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and other European partners, we have made it clear that Europe must — and will — do more to help secure the Arctic."
He says the EU will defend itself against unfair trade practices, and that it had shown this week it can react quickly when needed.
Greenland will be under US control by end of Trump's term, says former official
16:00 , James ReynoldsA former Trump administration ambassador to Denmark said that she still believes Greenland will be under US control by the end of Trump’s second term.
Carla Sands, ambassador from 2017-21, during Trump’s first term, told the Daily Mail: “I think that it will be under US control. What does that look like? I mean, I don’t know.
“It could look something like Puerto Rico where it is ... a territory with rights for representation and things like that, but under our security and us helping them develop, having infrastructure that they so much want.”
A poll by Verian, commissioned by Berlingske, last year found just 6 per cent of Greenlanders supported joining the US.
“Suddenly, anything is possible, because the paradigm has shifted, the window has shifted, and what is impossible becomes possible,” Sands said.
Is Europe starting to work out how to handle Trump?
15:30 , James ReynoldsEuropean leaders believe Trump backed down in part because this time they made it clear he was crossing a red line.
David Lammy told the BBC that Trump backed down “because his close friend the United Kingdom and European partners expressed their displeasure, and he has stepped back.”
"All this shows that you cannot let the Americans trample all over the Europeans," said a European Union official, who requested anonymity to speak candidly about US ties.
"We did the right thing to push back, to be firm in what we said, but it is not over. My sense is that we will be tested constantly on issues like this," the official told Reuters.
Onlookers urged Europe to stand up for itself more during the World Economic Forum in Davos this week. Gavin Newsom told reporters: “People are rolling over. I should have brought a bunch of kneepads for all the world leaders. It’s just pathetic.
“The Europeans should decide for themselves what to do, but one thing they can’t do is what they’ve been doing. They've been played. This guy [Trump] is playing folks for fools.”
Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech to world leaders carried one of the weightiest warnings as he said: “President Trump loves who he is. And he says he loves Europe. But he will not listen to this kind of Europe.”
Europe to expand role in Arctic, says Merz
15:09 , James ReynoldsAfter a turbulent week, and with pressure on Nato allies to do more for their own security, German chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday that Europe will have more involvement in the Arctic, and that Germany will play its part.
Merz is in Italy for talks with Italian premier Giorgia Meloni.
Mother of British soldier killed by US bomb in Afghanistan demands apology from Trump
15:00 , James ReynoldsThe mother of a teenage British soldier killed by a US bomb in Afghanistan said she was “cut up” by Donald Trump’s “insult to our fallen” after the US president said allied soldiers had avoided the front lines in the war in Afghanistan.
Lorraine McClure told the Daily Mail that the president “owes an apology to every serviceman who served through Nato” over his remarks.
“I am pretty angry and cut up about it. It is just an insult to our fallen and their memory, and the fact that they gave their all,” Ms McClure told the newspaper.
Ms McClure’s son, Aaron, was 19 when he and two other soldiers from the 1st Battalion of The Royal Anglian Regiment died in a ‘friendly fire’ incident on August 23, 2007. They were killed in a blast from a bomb dropped by an American jet.
Around 1,061 non-American Nato troops died in the conflict that began in 2001, including 457 British personnel.
Watch: Donald Trump blasted as 'draft dodger' by Emily Thornberry following Afghanistan claims
14:30 , James ReynoldsGreenlanders welcome Danish PM with open arms
14:10 , from Annabel Grossman in NuukDanish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has landed in Greenland and was greeted warmly by Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen as she stepped off the plane in Nuuk.
Greenlanders The Independent spoke to said they are pleased to see her arrival and were hopeful for the visit.
Pictured: Leaders hug as Danish PM arrives in Greenland
13:57 , James Reynolds
What do we know about Donald Trump's supposed 'framework' for a deal on Greenland so far?
13:30 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump claims to have hashed out the “framework” of a future deal on Greenland after weeks of threats to annex the Danish territory.
Denmark has said it is open to dialogue so long as its borders are respected – but is yet to endorse aspects of the ‘agreement’ presented to the media by Trump and Nato so far.
The Independent looks at what we know so far - and what’s missing:
Watch: Trump blasted as 'international gangster' amid Greenland dispute
13:00 , James ReynoldsTrump’s ‘insulting’ fake claim about Nato troops slammed by mother of severely injured British veteran
12:30 , James ReynoldsThe mother of a British soldier who suffered horrendous injuries in Afghanistan described Donald Trump’s comments about the role of Nato troops in the war as “the ultimate insult”.
Diane Dernie, mother of Ben Parkinson, who is regarded as the most severely injured British soldier to survive in Afghanistan, said: “I can assure you, the Taliban didn’t plant IEDs miles and miles back from the front line.
“To say that British troops, Nato forces, were not involved on the front lines – it’s just a childish man trying to deflect from his own actions, and it’s just beyond belief.”
Watch: Donald Trump falsely claims NATO allies avoided Afghanistan frontline
12:00 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump sparked fury among British politicians and veteran fighters as he claimed that Nato soldiers had avoided the front lines in the war in Afghanistan.
Around 1,061 non-American Nato troops died in the conflict that began in 2001, according to Help for Heroes. More than 2,300 members of the US armed forced were killed.
But Mr Trump ramped up tensions with Nato on Thursday, saying he was not sure the alliance would “be there if we ever needed them”.
He told Fox News: “They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan … and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.”
British soldiers killed in Afghanistan were heroes, says defence secretary
11:26 , James ReynoldsJohn Healey said today that British troops killed in Afghanistan should be remembered as heroes after Donald Trump sparked fury with comments that Nato allies “stayed a little back ... off the front lines” during the war.
“NATO’s Article 5 has only been triggered once. The UK and NATO allies answered the US call. And more than 450 British personnel lost their lives in Afghanistan,” the defence secretary wrote on social media.
“Those British troops should be remembered for who they were: heroes who gave their lives in service of our nation.”
Denmark and the US discuss next steps, with Greenland's role unclear
11:14 , James ReynoldsDenmark's foreign minister revealed on Friday that diplomats from Denmark and the United States met in Washington yesterday to set out next steps in negotiations.
"We will not communicate when those (future) meetings are, because what is needed now is to take the drama out of this ... we need a calm process," said foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen.
A well placed source said on Thursday that Rutte and Trump had agreed on updating a 1951 agreement that governs US military access and presence on the Arctic island.
Recap: Starmer meets with Danish PM
10:30 , James ReynoldsKeir Starmer told his Danish counterpart on Thursday Trump's decision not to pursue tariffs was a pragmatic step.
"In terms of recent developments and the withdrawal of the threat of tariffs, I see that as a reflection of pragmatism, common sense and sticking to our values and our principles," Starmer told Mette Frederiksen.
Frederiksen said Britain was one of Denmark's oldest and most important allies and partners and thanked Starmer for his support.
"I like the British way of doing things... You have a cup of tea and then you think a bit about everything, you get the facts on the table, and then you find a way forward, and that's exactly what we're doing now," she told Starmer at the start of their meeting at Chequers, the British prime minister's country residence.
"I think we've got to get by with a little help from our friends."
Nato and Denmark working together on Arctic security
10:00 , James ReynoldsNato secretary general Mark Rutte said on Friday that he and Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen were working together on Arctic security in Brussels.
“We’re working together to ensure that the whole of NATO is safe & secure and will build on our cooperation to enhance deterrence & defence in the Arctic,” he wrote on social media.
“Denmark continues to make robust contributions to our shared security and is ramping up investment to do even more!”
European shares fall amid fallout from tariff threats
09:31 , James ReynoldsEuropean shares fell on Friday and were on course to snap their longest run of weekly gains since May, as investors weighed the potential fallout from the latest flare-up in trade tensions linked to Greenland.
The pan-European STOXX 600 .STOXX edged 0.2% lower by 0803 GMT, poised to snap a five-week winning streak. The benchmark index has lost 1% so far this week.
Markets were jolted this week by U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to implement tariffs on eight European countries until Washington is allowed to buy Greenland.
Danish PM to visit Greenland today
09:20 , James ReynoldsDenmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she will travel to Nuuk later on Friday to meet with Greenland's prime minister.
Trump backed down because the UK and Europe said no: Lammy
09:00 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump backed down from threatening Greenland because the UK stood up for the island’s sovereignty, David Lammy told the BBC.
The deputy prime minister said that Trump had “responded to our concerns” about using force or imposing tariffs to take control of the Danish territory.
"Let's remember what has actually happened. Donald Trump stepped back from any suggestion of force, and he stepped back from the use of tariffs," he told Nick Robinson's Political Thinking.
"Why? Because his close friend the United Kingdom and European partners expressed their displeasure, and he has stepped back.
"What's really gone on is actually our great ally, the United States, despite the noise, has responded to our concerns."
Recap: Starmer says world leaders can now ‘get on with the job’ of protecting Greenland
09:00 , James ReynoldsSir Keir Starmer said world leaders can now “get on with the job” of protecting Greenland after Donald Trump dropped his tariff threats.
The prime minister and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen met at Chequers on Thursday, a day after the US president dropped tariff threats against European nations opposed to his ambitions to take over the mineral-rich island.
Speaking after the meeting, Sir Keir told broadcasters: “Today, we actually start the hard work of making sure that security in the Arctic is enhanced.”
He added: “What’s now happened is good in the sense the threat of tariffs has gone, and now we can get on with the job of rolling up our sleeves and answering the question, how do we improve security in the Arctic?”
Greenlandic MP urges against Nato cutting deals on its behalf
08:30 , James ReynoldsAaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of parliament, told The Independent of the recent ‘framework’ hashed out between Nato and Donald Trump: "Nato has no mandate to make deals about Greenland."
In Greenland, we have a saying, which is: ‘Nothing about us without us’. This applies to Nato matters as well.
"All decisions concerning Greenland are to be decided by Naalakkersuisut, government of Greenland."
France in the dark on Greenland talks
08:06 , James ReynoldsFrance’s foreign minister said on BFM TV this morning that France still has no details on the deal reached between Donald Trump and Mark Rutte on Greenland.
Greenland PM stresses need for calm diplomacy
07:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarGreenland’s prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the country is under intense pressure and stressed the need for allied support and calm diplomacy.
Speaking to international media in Nuuk, he said: “The support of our allies is crucial in this situation. Our goal and desire is to continue a peaceful dialogue.”
He added, according to Sermitsiaq, a weekly paper in Greenland: “I will say it again. Greenland chooses the Greenland we know today as part of the Kingdom of Denmark.”
Nielsen added: “We choose the Kingdom of Denmark. We choose the EU. We choose Nato.”
“It's very difficult when you hear threats every night about being acquired or taken. Until yesterday we couldn't rule anything out.“Imagine being a Greenlander, a peaceful people, who sees in the media every day that someone wants to take your freedom,” the PM said.
What is in Trump’s Greenland ‘deal’ – and what is missing?
07:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarDonald Trump claims to have hashed out the “framework” of a future deal on Greenland following weeks of threats to annex the Danish territory.
The US president emerged from talks with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte on Wednesday confident that a deal was in sight and that all parties were happy with it.
Denmark said it was open to dialogue so long as its borders are respected – but has notably not endorsed any aspects of the agreement briefed to the media or discussed publicly by Mr Rutte.
The shape of the arrangement was “a little bit complex”, Mr Trump said, and would have to be explained “down the line”. However, he waived his previous threat of tariffs against European allies in an apparent attempt to defuse tensions.
Mr Rutte said that Denmark would retain its sovereignty and stressed that Nato allies would have to step up on Arctic security “within months” under the framework deal currently being discussed.
Read more here:
Trump hails ‘incredible’ trip to Davos
06:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarDonald Trump praised his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos as he travelled back to Washington, posting on social media that “it was an incredible time in Davos”.
The US president said the framework for a future Greenland deal was “being worked on” and would be “amazing” for the United States.
He also promoted his newly launched Board of Peace, describing it as “very special” and “something that the world has never seen before”.
Watch: Trump returns to US after Davos trip
06:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarRelations with the US took a ‘big blow’ over last week, Kaja Kallas says
05:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarEU leaders say relations with the United States have been badly shaken after a turbulent week marked by Donald Trump’s threats over Greenland.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said ties with Washington had “taken a big blow over the last week”, but added that Europe was “not willing to junk 80 years of good relations”.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said EU unity and engagement with the US in a “firm but non-escalatory manner” had helped defuse tensions.
Trump had announced plans to impose 10 per cent tariffs on eight European countries that opposed a proposed US takeover of Greenland.
But he rowed back on that threat on Wednesday after meeting with Nato’s chief Mark Rutte in Davos.
Trump withdraws invitation for Canada to join Board of Peace
05:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarDonald Trump has withdrawn an earlier invitation for Canadian prime minister Mark Carney to join his proposed “Board of Peace”, announcing the decision in a post on Truth Social addressed directly to Carney.
The board, initially floated as part of Trump’s Gaza peace plan, has since expanded in scope to cover a much wider range of global issues.
The move appears to follow remarks Carney made at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he warned that “Great powers… have begun using economic integration as weapons, tariffs as leverage, financial infrastructure as coercion, supply chains as vulnerabilities to be exploited”.
Opinion: Without the US, Nato must be rebalanced
04:30 , Jane DaltonPresident Trump thrives on division so Nato must do three things to survive and thrive, writes General Sir Richard Shirreff, former Nato deputy supreme allied commander Europe:
Without the United States, Nato must be Europeanised – here’s how
Europe forced Trump climbdown, claims Macron
04:10 , Jane DaltonFrench president Emmanuel Macron on Thursday said European pressure forced US president Donald Trump to back down from his threats to take control of Greenland.
"Europe can make itself be respected, and that's a very good thing," Mr Macron told reporters as he arrived in Brussels for an emergency summit.
"When we use the tools that we have at our disposal we get respect and that's what happened this week."
He wrote on social media: “When Europe reacts in a united way, using the instruments at its disposal while it is threatened, it earns respect.”
Quand l’Europe réagit de manière unie, en utilisant les instruments à sa disposition tandis qu’elle est menacée, elle se fait respecter. C’est la politique de la France et des Européens. pic.twitter.com/h44o4TJ5W4
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 22, 2026
App for boycotting US products tops Danish charts
03:40 , Jane Dalton
App for boycotting US products tops Danish charts after Trump’s Greenland threats
Starmer vows to talk to Denmark on greater Arctic security
03:07 , Jane DaltonSir Keir Starmer says he will discuss with Denmark's prime minister how to "take the vital steps" towards strengthened security in the Arctic.
The Prime Minister and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen met at Chequers, a day after the US president dropped tariff threats against European nations.
Ms Frederiksen thanked him for the UK's support during "quite a difficult time" for the country.
Sir Keir said: "In terms of recent developments and the withdrawal of the threat of tariffs, I see that as a reflection of pragmatism, common sense and sticking to our values and our principles.
"The hard yards now - finding a better way forward on the issue that we all agree on, which is security in the Arctic - is the next chapter here, and I look forward to discussing with you how we take the vital steps down that path."
Why US has right to build military bases in Greenland
02:00 , Jane DaltonA 1951 agreement between Washington and Copenhagen established the US’s right to construct military bases in Greenland and move around freely in Greenlandic territory. This is still the case as long as Denmark and Greenland are informed of its actions.
Washington has a base at Pituffik in northern Greenland.
Marc Jacobsen, a professor at the Royal Danish Defence College, said: "It is important to clarify that the US had 17 bases during the Cold War and much greater activity. So that is already possible now under the current agreement.”
But diplomats told Reuters EU leaders will rethink relations with the US as the Greenland episode had badly shaken confidence in the transatlantic relationship. Governments remain wary of another change of mind by Trump, who is increasingly seen as a bully Europe will have to stand up to, they said.
Watch: Trump dodges Greenland deal questions
01:00 , Jane Dalton
Opinion: The madness isn’t over yet
00:01 , Jane DaltonTrump whims are turning into demands very quickly these days, writes Anne McElvoy:
Yes, Trump crumpled – I was there to witness it – but the madness isn’t over yet
Trump believes Denmark 'likes' proposed Greenland deal
Thursday 22 January 2026 23:40 , Tara CobhamWhite House correspondent Andrew Feinberg reports:
Donald Trump believes Denmark “likes” the Greenland framework deal that has been proposed.
When asked if Denmark was on board with his plans, the US president said: “I think everyone likes it. I'll let you know in about two weeks.”
US 'can do anything we want', says Trump after negotiations over Greenland deal
Thursday 22 January 2026 23:37 , Tara CobhamWhite House correspondent Andrew Feinberg reports:
Donald Trump has said that the US “can do anything we want” after negotiations over the Greenland framework deal.
Speaking of the potential deal, the US president told reporters: “It was really a negotiation, but it's infinity. The time limit is infinity, meaning there is no time limit. It's forever. You know, you're about 99 years, 50 years. It's forever. That was discussed.
“We can do anything we want, we can do military, we can do anything we want, and it's being negotiated, and let's see what happens. I think it'll be good.”
Greenland sovereignty non-negotiable, says leader
Thursday 22 January 2026 23:00 , Jane DaltonLeaders of Denmark and Greenland have insisted that the island's sovereignty is non-negotiable after US president Donald Trump said he had agreed on a framework with Nato granting the US "total access" to the island.
Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen voiced guarded relief at Trump’s scrapping of his tariffs plan, but he said he knew no concrete details of the agreement Trump cited.
“I don't know what there is in the agreement, or the deal about my country," he told reporters.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said security in the Arctic was a matter for all of Nato, and it was "good and natural" that it be discussed between the US president and Nato chief Mark Rutte.
She wrote that "we cannot negotiate on our sovereignty" and added: "I have been informed that this has not been the case."
EU can resume work on trade deal with US now, says parliament boss
Thursday 22 January 2026 22:00 , Jane DaltonThe European Union is likely to resume work on a trade deal with the United States after US president Donald Trump took back a tariff threat over his attempt to acquire Greenland, the European Parliament's president has said.
"We are happy to see that the escalation is off the table for now," Roberta Metsola said.
"This means that we can continue at this stage our discussions internally on the EU-US trade deal, which had been paused pending the impending tariff threat."
The European Parliament this week suspended work on the trade deal because of Trump's new tariff threats.
The EU assembly has been debating legislative proposals to remove many EU import duties on US goods.
This week made one thing urgent: the need for a stronger and more autonomous Europe.
— Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) January 22, 2026
While cooler heads have prevailed, our position on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Denmark and Greenland has not budged.@Europarl_EN will continue to assess the EU-US trade deal… pic.twitter.com/NpZfUUC3VN
Nato could create 'Arctic sentry' under new deal
Thursday 22 January 2026 21:30 , Jane DaltonThe detail of the US agreement on Greenland could involve creating a significant new Nato mission in the Arctic, dubbed an “Arctic sentry”, according to top officials.
They told The New York Times the deal would also mean updating a pact signed between Denmark and the United States in 1951.
Nato officials have discussed expanding that pact to effectively create pockets of American soil in the territory.
Such an agreement would be likely to be modelled on a “sovereign base area” agreement in Cyprus, where Britain’s military bases are regarded as British territory, the news outlet says.
Non-Nato countries, particularly Russia and China, would be barred from obtaining rights to mine the rare-earth minerals under Greenland.
I've secured total access to Greenland, Trump claims
Thursday 22 January 2026 20:59 , Jane DaltonRecap: US president Donald Trump has said he has secured total and permanent US access to Greenland in a deal with Nato.
But the details of any agreement were unclear and Denmark insisted its sovereignty over the island was not up for discussion.
Mr Trump told Fox Business Network on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, that the “framework” for a deal involving Greenland and the Arctic would give the US “total access”.
“It’s really being negotiated now, the details of it. But essentially it’s total access,” Trump said, claiming the access was permanent.
“There’s no end, there’s no time limit.”
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said he was still in the dark on many aspects.
"I don't know what there is in the agreement, or the deal, about my country," he said in the capital Nuuk.
"We are ready to discuss a lot of things and we are ready to negotiate a better partnership and so on. But sovereignty is a red line," he added, when asked about reports that Mr Trump was seeking control of areas around US military bases in Greenland as part of a wider deal.
Trump deal 'would give US sovereign claim to military bases' on Greenland
Thursday 22 January 2026 20:27 , Jane DaltonDonald Trump’s potential deal - or compromise - over Greenland involves increasing Nato’s presence in the Arctic, giving America a sovereign claim to military bases on Greenland territory and blocking adversaries from mining the island’s minerals, it’s been reported.
The New York Times says those plans, described by eight top Western security and diplomatic officials, have yet to be finalised.
Until now, the contents of the deal have remained secret.
The news outlet said the agreement would stop short of Mr Trump’s goal of transferring ownership of all of Greenland to the United States.
US wants Greenland's minerals, spokesman says
Thursday 22 January 2026 20:00 , Jane DaltonA US administration spokesman has admitted Donald Trump’s push to take over Greenland is at least in part about rare earth minerals.
Tommy Pigott, State Department spokesman, told Fox News: “Ultimately, this is about access. This is about access for the United States. It's about access from a military perspective. It's about access from a perspective in order to from [sic] those critical minerals.
“These are part of all the concerns that President Trump laid out, really, from the beginning of this administration, talking about those critical minerals, talking about the encroachment of our adversaries on Greenland, talking about the defence of Greenland, the Nato alliance, our defence modern threats, the Arctic.”
He said President Trump was identifying opportunities that could “make us all prosperous”.
Mr Trump posted the clip on Truth Social.
EU must be alert to threats, Macron says
Thursday 22 January 2026 19:30 , Jane DaltonThe European Union must remain vigilant and ready to respond firmly in case of new threats, French president Emmanuel Macron said in Brussels ahead of an emergency EU leaders summit to discuss the Greenland situation.
"We remain extremely vigilant and ready to use the instruments at our disposal should we find ourselves the target of threats again," Mr Macron said.
Greenland deal will be 'amazing' for US, Trump claims
Thursday 22 January 2026 18:53 , Jane DaltonThe Greenland deal will be amazing for the US, Donald Trump has claimed.
As he flew back to Washington, the president posted about it on his Truth Social platform but failed to give details.
“Heading back to DC. It was an incredible time in Davos. The Greenland structure is being worked on, and will be amazing for the USA, and the Board of Peace is something that the World has never seen before — Very special. So many good things happening!” he wrote.
North European investors wary of US 'risks'
Thursday 22 January 2026 18:29 , ReutersBig Northern European investors are increasingly wary of the risks of holding US assets given geopolitical tensions, pensions chiefs say, a sign of a broadening shift away from the world's biggest financial market.
A top investment adviser, three pension funds and a leading industry body said the risk premium attached to holding US assets had also gone up in part because of worries about the nation's finances.
Pension industry leaders and investment chiefs from Finland, Sweden and Denmark told Reuters they viewed US foreign policy uncertainty and White House debt levels as a threat to the dollar, US Treasuries and stocks.
The Nordic region is home to some of Europe's biggest pension funds by assets.
EU-US row benefits our enemies, says EU foreign chief
Thursday 22 January 2026 18:09 , Jane DaltonThe relationship between the United States and the European Union has "taken a big blow" in the past week, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said before an emergency council of the bloc's leaders.
"Disagreements that allies have between them like Europe and America are just benefiting our adversaries who are looking and enjoying the view," she said.
Trump claims European troops avoided Afghanistan frontline
Thursday 22 January 2026 16:55 , Sam RkainaThe US president has continued his war of words against Nato and Europe, with a jab over troop deployment in Afghanistan.
Donald Trump claimed European soldiers stayed away from the frontline during the war in an interview with Fox News Thursday.
“We've never needed them,” he said.
“They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan... and they did, they stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines.”
Trump’s latest jibe was in response to comments from Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, who had reminded the president that Nato lost one soldier for every two killed in Afghanistan.
What is in Trump’s Greenland ‘deal’ – and what is missing?
Thursday 22 January 2026 16:48 , Maira ButtDonald Trump claims to have hashed out the “framework” of a future deal on Greenland following weeks of threats to annex the Danish territory.
The US president emerged from talks with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte on Wednesday confident that a deal was in sight and that all parties were happy with it.
Denmark said it was open to dialogue so long as its borders are respected – but have notably not endorsed any aspects of the agreement briefed to the media or discussed publicly by Mr Rutte.
James C Reynolds reports:
Starmer: World leaders can now ‘get on with the job’ of protecting Greenland
Thursday 22 January 2026 16:20 , Maira ButtThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
British prime minister Keir Starmer has said world leaders can now “get on with the job” of protecting Greenland after Donald Trump dropped his tariff threats.
The prime minister and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen met at Chequers, a day after the US president dropped tariff threats against European nations opposed to his ambitions to take over the mineral-rich island.
Speaking after the meeting, Sir Keir told broadcasters: “Today, we actually start the hard work of making sure that security in the Arctic is enhanced.”
He added: “What’s now happened is good in the sense the threat of tariffs has gone, and now we can get on with the job of rolling up our sleeves and answering the question, how do we improve security in the Arctic?”
Nato has 'no mandate' to make decisions about Greenland, says member of territory's parliament
Thursday 22 January 2026 15:59 , Maira ButtJames C Reynolds reports:
Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of parliament, told The Independent: "Nato has no mandate to make deals about Greenland.
"In Greenland, we have a saying, which is: ‘Nothing about us without us’. This applies to Nato matters as well.
"All decisions concerning Greenland are to be decided by Naalakkersuisut, government of Greenland."
Watch: Greenlanders remain anxious despite Trump ruling out taking territory by force
Thursday 22 January 2026 15:20 , Maira ButtNo 10 fails to rule out Denmark giving up sovereignty over Greenland
Thursday 22 January 2026 15:00 , Maira ButtThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Downing Street did not rule out Denmark giving up sovereignty over Greenland, saying issues of sovereignty are a “matter for the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland.”
The UK prime minister's spokesperson also insisted “serious behind the scenes diplomacy has got us to this place” when asked about the UK’s role in calming the Greenland dispute.
“The UK has been in constant communication with the US administration in Davos and working closely with the Nato secretary-general”, the official added.
Trump fact-checked: Where did the claim China sells windmills to 'stupid people' come from?
Thursday 22 January 2026 14:40 , Maira ButtOn the Ground: Uncertainty lingers for Greenlanders following Trump Davos speech: ‘We don’t sleep well’
Thursday 22 January 2026 14:20 , Maira ButtOn Wednesday evening downtown Nuuk was busy with Greenlanders commuting home, picking children up from school and visiting local supermarkets. Yet as residents continued with daily life, there lingered an ever-present cloud of anxiety after Donald Trump doubled down on his threats to annex Greenland in a speech in front of world leaders at Davos.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum yesterday, the US president said that he would not use military force to acquire Greenland, but that he was “seeking immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States”.
Uncertainty lingers for Greenlanders after Trump Davos speech: ‘We don’t sleep well’
US negotiating 'total access' to Greenland, says Trump
Thursday 22 January 2026 13:58 , Maira ButtPresident Donald Trump has said he wants “total access” over Greenland amid reports by Nato chief Mark Rutte that the alliance had agreed to a preliminary “framework deal”.
The details of the deal have not been unpacked in great detail but it now appears that it means significant control over the territory.
“Everything comes over Greenland. If the bad guys start shooting, it comes over Greenland,” Trump told Fox news after his trip to Davos.
“It's pretty invaluable. It's amazing. You know, Ronald Reagan had the idea a long time ago, but we didn't have any technology at that point. The concept was great, but there was no technology. Now we have unbelievable technology.”
Asked what this meant in practice, he expanded, saying: “I mean, we're talking about, it's really being negotiated now, the details of it, but essentially it's total access. There's no end, there's no time limit.”
Explained: What is Trump’s ‘board of peace’ and could it replace the UN?
Thursday 22 January 2026 13:00 , Maira ButtOne of the more significant moments at the World Economic Forum in Davos will be the formal signing of the charter of the “board of peace”. This is very much a Donald Trump project, and he has already nominated himself as chair of the board, indefinitely. Originally conceived as part of his Gaza peace plan, it is now taking on a far wider role, seeking to settle disputes across the globe.
Sean O’Grady reports:
What is Trump’s ‘board of peace’ and could it replace the UN?
