No written document memorializes the future deal framework for Greenland, sources say [View all]
Source: CNN Politics
Updated Jan 22, 2026, 2:30 PM ET
PUBLISHED Jan 22, 2026, 11:01 AM ET
President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reached a verbal understanding about Greenland during their meeting on Wednesday, but no document has been produced yet memorializing a future deal, people familiar with their discussion told CNN. Trump and Rutte agreed to further discussions about updating a 1951 agreement between the US, Denmark and Greenland that governs the US military’s presence on the island, the sources said.
The deal framework also guarantees that Russia and China will be barred from any investments in Greenland and lays out an enhanced role for NATO in Greenland, they said. Two of the sources said another element of a possible deal is increased US access to Greenland’s natural resources, including its mineral reserves. But Rutte on Thursday denied that he had discussed this issue with Trump directly.
The White House said previously that details of the plan would be released as they are finalized, and a spokeswoman repeated that Thursday. “If this deal goes through, and President Trump is very hopeful it will, the United States will be achieving all of its strategic goals with respect to Greenland, at very little cost, forever. President Trump is proving once again he’s the Dealmaker in Chief. As details are finalized by all parties involved, they will be released accordingly,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly.
CNN has reached out to Rutte’s office for comment. One person familiar with the discussions said Rutte did not want any formal documents prepared during his meeting with Trump because he was concerned they could leak — or be posted by Trump himself on social media. Trump earlier this week posted a private message Rutte sent to him ahead of their talks.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/22/politics/future-deal-framework-greenland
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