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By Daniel Orton
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President Donald Trump on Thursday pointed to a familiar timeline when asked about progress on his administration’s proposed Greenland "framework," saying he would have an update on the details “in about two weeks”—language he has frequently used to signal impending decisions on major policies and deals.
Trump made the remarks aboard Air Force One while returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, responding to a reporter’s question about whether Denmark had signed off on a framework aimed at easing tensions around the president’s stated desire to acquire the Arctic territory.
While offering no details on the substance of the proposal, Trump expressed confidence in the discussions.
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Why It Matters
The White House has framed Greenland as central to U.S. missile defense and mineral access, while NATO allies and Danish officials have prioritized Arctic security against Russian and Chinese influence without ceding control of the island, highlighting a gap between Washington’s ambitions and Europe’s sovereignty red lines.
Trump’s timeline and description of a "forever" deal sharpened questions about how any agreement would be structured under international law and existing U.S.-Denmark-Greenland defense arrangements.
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What To Know
Trump's 'Two Weeks' Pledge and 'Forever' Concept
Pressed on whether Denmark supported the emerging plan, Trump said, "I think everyone likes it. I mean, I think, I’ll let you know in about two weeks," while also describing the arrangement as having "no time limit" and allowing the U.S. to "do anything we want" militarily.
Trump characterized the prospective arrangement as "the ultimate long-term deal" and "a deal that’s forever," tying it to security and mineral access, after saying he had formed a "framework of a future deal" with Rutte in Davos.
NATO, Denmark and Greenland: Sovereignty Off the Table
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said Rutte did not propose any "compromise to sovereignty" in his meeting with Trump, echoing Rutte’s comment that who controls Greenland "did not come up" during their talks, while indicating NATO commanders would work rapidly on security requirements in the Arctic.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Copenhagen would negotiate on security, investments and economics, but "cannot negotiate about our sovereignty," emphasizing that decisions concerning Denmark and Greenland rest with them and must respect territorial integrity.
What the Emerging 'Framework' Could Include
Multiple reports suggest discussions focused on updating the 1951 U.S.-Denmark Greenland defense pact, expanding NATO’s Arctic posture, and potentially granting the U.S. "total access" to parts of Greenland for an unlimited period—with proposals ranging from increased U.S. force posture and mineral access to sovereign base area concepts modeled on arrangements in Cyprus, though Copenhagen has publicly opposed any transfer of ownership.
Trump has linked Greenland to the planned "Golden Dome" missile defense project, saying a "piece" would be placed on the island, while Danish officials said Arctic security cooperation, including on the Golden Dome, must respect territorial integrity.
Greenlandic Response and Local Concerns
Greenlandic leaders expressed alarm that their future might be negotiated without them, with officials reiterating that the island is "not for sale" and condemning any suggestion of outside control, even as Greenland signaled willingness to engage on security within clear sovereignty limits.
Tariffs Paused, Working Group and Negotiations
Trump said he would not impose previously threatened tariffs on eight European allies after his meeting with Rutte, while U.S., Danish and Greenlandic officials continued talks through a high-level working group established in Washington last week, with NATO commanders preparing Arctic security options.
It remains unclear how far discussions have progressed or whether Denmark has formally engaged with the proposal beyond publicly rejecting any transfer of sovereignty. Danish officials have not confirmed any agreement on a broader framework, and Greenland’s government has repeatedly stressed that any changes to the territory’s defense posture would require its explicit consent.
Trump did not specify who, if anyone, is negotiating on behalf of Copenhagen or Nuuk, nor did he outline what legal mechanism would underpin the arrangement he described.
A Recurring Trump Trope: 'Two Weeks'
Trump has a long record of invoking a vague "two weeks" timeline when pressed for decisions or details, a pattern that stretches back to his first term.
Over the years, he has said updates on issues ranging from health care and infrastructure to foreign policy and Russia would come "in about two weeks," often repeatedly and without clear follow‑through. The phrasing has become familiar enough that reporters and commentators now routinely question whether such deadlines will hold, especially after multiple past instances in which similar promises slipped or reset.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump, to reporters on Air Force One Thursday, said: "There was a, really a negotiation, but it's infinity. The time limit is infinity, meaning there is no time limit. It's forever. It's, you know you hear about 99 years and 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."
Aaja Chemnitz Larsen, a Danish lawmaker representing Greenland, said Wednesday: "What we are witnessing these days from Trump is insane."
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly, in a statement previously shared with Newsweek, said: "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."
What Happens Next
Per Trump's timeline, there should be an update on the framework in early February.
Update, 01/23/2026, 8:22 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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