Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Thursday (January 22) that no negotiations had been held with NATO regarding the sovereignty of Greenland.

After weeks of threats, U.S. President Donald Trump stepped back from the threat of imposing tariffs on countries opposing his plans to seize Greenland and ruled out using force, suggesting instead that a framework deal over the Arctic island was in sight.

Trump's climbdown on using tariffs as a weapon to seize Greenland brought relief on Thursday, but left uncertainty on ending a standoff that has risked the deepest rupture in transatlantic ties in decades.

After meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said there could be a deal that satisfies his desire for a missile‑defense system and access to critical minerals while blocking what he says are Russia and China’s ambitions in the Arctic.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK (JANUARY 18, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF CHRISTIANSBORG PALACE, WHICH HOUSES THE DANISH PARLIAMENT

KONGENS LYNGBY, DENMARK (JANUARY 22, 2026)(TV2 - No use Denmark)

2. (SOUNDBITE)(Danish) DANISH PRIME MINISTER, METTE FREDERIKSEN, SAYING :

“We have said from the beginning that the Kingdom of Denmark remains. Also after this discussion, and we have not abandoned our views at any time. At the same time, we have also said that we are of course willing to work with the Americans when it comes to our common security. Denmark has also been this ever since the end of the Second World War, so nothing has changed in the Danish position, nothing has changed in Greenland's position.”

3. WHITE FLASH

4. (SOUNDBITE)(Danish) DANISH PRIME MINISTER, METTE FREDERIKSEN, SAYING :

“I also think it is important to say in all this that what remains after the discussion of the last few days is that we are not alone in this situation. We have many good allies, and it is important that Europe now really secures our own future. But nothing has changed in the Danish and Greenlandic positions."

5. WHITE FLASH

6. (SOUNDBITE)(Danish) DANISH PRIME MINISTER, METTE FREDERIKSEN, SAYING :

“The Danish and Greenlandic positions are the same, and there has been no negotiation with NATO yesterday about our sovereignty. Of course there hasn't. That is a matter for us alone, and we do not intend to abandon the very basic principles of democracy and politics. Now we are continuing to engage in dialogue with the Americans about security. We also have a common interest in ensuring that there is no Chinese or Russian investment. Neither in my view in the United States or in Europe. So in fact, there are many common points and a common interest in ensuring our security,”

NUUK, GREENLAND (FILE - JANUARY 15, 2025)(REUTERS - Access all)(MUTE)

5. VARIOUS AERIAL VIEWS OF THE GREENLANDIC CAPITAL NUUK IN THE SNOW