A tense week for Europe ends with a surprise reversal
Just days after European leaders braced for confrontation with U.S. President Donald Trump over his rhetoric about taking control of Greenland, the mood shifted sharply. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump ruled out using force to annex the Danish territory and later announced progress toward a possible framework agreement that eased tensions with Europe.
The reversal also came with a major concession: Trump said he would no longer impose tariffs on European countries that opposed his Greenland ambitions. For markets and diplomats alike, it marked a sudden cooling of a dispute that had threatened trade relations and raised fresh questions about the cohesion of NATO.
The unlikely role of Mark Rutte
At the center of the turnaround was NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who has quietly emerged as a key intermediary between Washington and a rattled Europe. The former Dutch prime minister, known for his pragmatic style and low-key demeanor, met with Trump in Davos shortly before the announcement.
Details of the proposed Greenland framework remain unclear, as does the precise scope of Rutte’s role. What is evident, however, is that his long-standing personal relationship with Trump once again proved influential at a critical moment.
A relationship built over years
Rutte and Trump are an unusual pairing. Rutte is widely seen as a technocrat and consensus builder, while Trump favors blunt rhetoric and unilateral pressure. Yet their rapport dates back to Trump’s first term, when Rutte made repeated visits to Washington and invested heavily in personal diplomacy.
That approach has often included public praise and carefully calibrated flattery. At a NATO summit last year, Rutte famously joked about Trump’s strong language by saying “Daddy has to sometimes use strong language,” a comment that went viral and appears to have resonated with the U.S. president.
Flattery as a diplomatic tool
Rutte has continued this strategy in private communications, some of which Trump has shared publicly. In recent messages, Rutte praised Trump’s foreign policy actions and credited him with achievements that previous U.S. presidents had failed to deliver.
These exchanges have drawn criticism in Europe, where some see the tone as overly deferential. Rutte has acknowledged the discomfort but defended his approach, arguing that maintaining a functional relationship with Washington is essential for European security.
Tangible results for NATO and Europe
Despite the controversy, the strategy has delivered concrete outcomes. A NATO summit last year ended with unanimous agreement among member states to boost defense spending to post–Cold War highs, a shift widely attributed to sustained pressure from Trump.
This week’s developments in Davos may have produced another payoff. By easing tariff threats and opening the door to talks focused on Arctic security rather than sovereignty, the immediate risk of a transatlantic trade war appears to have receded.
Greenland talks still unresolved
While Trump ruled out military force, he reiterated his interest in controlling Greenland, and negotiations between the United States, Denmark and Greenland are expected to continue. According to NATO officials, no compromise on Danish sovereignty was proposed during the Davos meeting.
Rutte has emphasized that discussions centered on Arctic security and protection rather than ownership, and he has indicated that more concrete outcomes could emerge later this year.
A fragile calm
For now, Europe has gained breathing room, but uncertainty remains. Emergency meetings among EU leaders are still planned, and Trump’s long-term intentions toward Greenland are unresolved.
Through it all, Rutte has remained characteristically reserved, offering few details beyond describing his meeting with Trump as “very good” and directing reporters to the president’s own statements. Whether his personal diplomacy can continue to shield Europe from future shocks remains an open question.