NATO says Rutte did not compromise Greenland sovereignty with Trump

NATO has officially stated that its secretary general, Mark Rutte, did not entertain any compromise on Danish sovereignty over Greenland during his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Davos. The clarification from the alliance's spokesperson aims to dispel any perception that NATO endorsed a renegotiation of the territory's status.

Focus on Collective Arctic Security

In a statement to Anadolu on Thursday, NATO spokesperson Allison Hart described the meeting as "very productive," emphasizing that the discussion centered on Arctic security. "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," Hart stated. She added that ongoing negotiations between Denmark, Greenland, and the U.S. aim to prevent Russian and Chinese economic or military inroads into the region.

Refuting Suggestions of Sovereignty Talks

The spokesperson was explicit in rejecting the notion that sovereignty was a bargaining chip. "The Secretary General did not propose any compromise to sovereignty during his meeting with the President in Davos," Hart affirmed. This statement directly counters any implication from Trump's announcement of a "framework of a future deal" that the core issue of ownership was part of the NATO-brokered discussions.

Context of Tariff Suspension and Lasting Dispute

Following the meeting, Trump announced he would suspend planned tariffs on eight European nations, citing a new understanding on Greenland and the Arctic. The tariffs had been explicitly linked to a demand for the "complete and total purchase of Greenland," a proposition firmly rejected by both Copenhagen and Nuuk. NATO's intervention appears to have shifted the dialogue from a bilateral territorial demand to a multilateral security framework, though the fundamental disagreement over sovereignty remains unresolved between the U.S. and Denmark. The episode highlights NATO's delicate role in mediating between a leading member's strategic ambitions and the territorial integrity of another.