Trump-Greenland latest: Nato chief reveals details of US ‘deal’ after Denmark warns it will not give up territory

Sir Keir Starmer has not taken part in Donald Trump’s signing ceremony for his Gaza “board of peace” over concerns about the inclusion of Vladimir Putin, in what will be viewed as a snub to the US president.

The US president signed the document on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on Wednesday at a ceremony attended by Tony Blair, who was named on the board, as well as Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The foreign secretary earlier said UK officials would not be involved in the ceremony in Davos, citing unease about the Russian president “being part of something which is talking about peace”.

The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:

California governor Gavin Newsom has hit out again at President Donald Trump as he said: “I live rent free in Trump’s head” at Davos on Thursday.

Earlier this week he chastised European and American leaders for appearing “pathetic” after failing to challenge the president at the World Economic Forum as he openly bragged about the possibility of a takeover of Greenland.

Trump later confirmed that he would not do so by force, but insisted that Europe give the US the island.

One of the more significant moments at the World Economic Forum in Davos will be the formal signing of the charter of the “board of peace”. This is very much a Donald Trump project, and he has already nominated himself as chair of the board, indefinitely. Originally conceived as part of his Gaza peace plan, it is now taking on a far wider role, seeking to settle disputes across the globe.

Sean O’Grady reports:

Downing Street did not rule out Denmark giving up sovereignty over Greenland, saying issues of sovereignty are a "matter for the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland."

The UK prime minister's spokesperson also insisted “serious behind the scenes diplomacy has got us to this place” when asked about the UK’s role in calming the Greenland dispute.

“The UK has been in constant communication with the US administration in Davos and working closely with the Nato secretary-general", the official added.

Donald Trump both settled nerves but left the Alpine air in Davos heavy with threat. Promising he would not use force to annex Greenland, he went on to warn that if he didn’t get hold of the vast island of ice, “we will remember”.

Did this amount to “give me Greenland or I’ll back Russia in Ukraine completely”?

He didn’t say it out loud, but in a long, rambling speech peppered with statistics snatched from his imaginarium, Trump consciously avoided revealing what the “or else” part of his threat actually meant.

The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley reports:

British prime minister Keir Starmer has reacted to President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the threat of tariffs.

“It's a good thing that yesterday, the threat of tariffs against the United Kingdom was lifted,” Starmer said in a statement read to reporters by his spokesperson on Thursday.

“Now we can start the hard yards of finding a way forward on security in the Arctic.”

Stock markets rose overnight and those in Europe are following suit, with the FTSE 100 up around 0.75 per cent after an hour of trading on Thursday.

It comes after Donald Trump removed the threat of additional tariffs on nations who did not support his push to seize control of Greenland, which led to an investor rally across much of Asia on Wednesday evening.

However, a Danish MP has said that claims over a deal being struck are “not real”.

This week had seen many major indices fall, as the uncertainty over global trade once more reared its head with the US president showing his hand once more with economic threats.

Karl Matchett reports:

European leaders will rethink their ties with the United States despite a U-turn by President Donald Trump on tariffs.

Diplomats told Reuters that the threat of military action to acquire Greenland had shaken their confidence int he alliance.

“Trump crossed the Rubicon. He might do it again. There is no going back to what it was. And leaders will discuss it,” one EU diplomat said.

Donald Trump claims to have hashed out the “framework” of a future deal on the Greenland following weeks of threats to annex the Danish territory.

The US president emerged from talks with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte on Wednesday confident that a deal was in sight, and that all parties were happy with it.

Denmark said it was open to dialogue so long as its borders are respected - but have notably not endorsed any aspects of the agreement briefed to the media or discussed publicly by Rutte.

The shape of the arrangement was “a little bit complex”, Trump said, and would have to be explained “down the line”. However, he waived his previous threat of tariffs against European allies in an apparent attempt to defuse tensions.

James C Reynolds reports:

Jimmy Kimmel has ridiculed Donald Trump over his speech to world leaders in Switzerland, with a pointed jab at the First Lady.

Trump discussed his efforts to takeover Greenland during a lengthy address to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Wednesday, referring to it as a “big beautiful piece of ice”.

Kimmel took shots at the president’s performance in his opening monologue, joking that Trump wanted the Danish territory because the icy island reminded him of Melania.

“Greenland, Greenland, Greenland. He said: ‘Greenland is not even land, it’s a big, beautiful block of ice,’” Kimmel joked. “And, he should know: He’s been married to one of those for twenty years.”