Trump eases on Greenland military force and tariffs

US President Donald Trump abruptly stepped back from threats to impose tariffs as leverage to seize Greenland after meeting NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

He also ruled out the use of force and suggested a deal was in sight to end a dispute over the Danish territory that risked the deepest rupture in transatlantic relations in decades.

The Northern Lights illuminate the night sky above Greenland's capital Nuuk.

Meanwhile, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the spotlight was on Donald Trump.

The US President appears to have retreated from wanting to use military force to take Greenland and slap tariffs on European countries pushing back against his plan, following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

But Trump warned that if the US do not get what it wants, it will not be forgotten.

"So we want a piece of ice for world protection and they won't give it," said Trump. "We've never asked for anything else. We could have kept that piece of land and we didn't so. They have a choice. You can say yes and we will be very appreciative or you can say no and we will remember."

Greenland became the focal point of global geopolitics after Trump shook the NATO alliance by threatening tariffs on Europe to strong-arm his aim of taking over Greenland.

European nations took a united stand, insisting that the future of the massive island was to be decided by Greenlanders and Denmark.

It now appears that a deal is in taking shape, as Trump said later.

"It's a deal that people jumped at," he said. "Really fantastic for the USA, gets everything we wanted, including, especially, real national security and international security.

"Well, the deal is going to be put out pretty soon. We'll see, it's right now a little bit in progress, but pretty far along. It gets us everything we need it to get.

When ask how long the deal will last, Trump said: "Infinite. Forever. It's signed forever. It's what's called an infinite deal. It's forever."

For Denmark, the core problem remains. Though the threat of military force has eased, for now, it is clear that Trump still wants the US to own Greenland.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said it is positive that the US says it will not use military force.

"But that will not make the problem go away," he said. "Because they expressed very clearly that it is better to own than to rent, and that Denmark cannot look after Greenland. So there is still a challenge."

Back in Washington, lawmakers spoke largely on party lines.

California Democrat Representative Sara Jacobs said: "I think that what we heard this morning from President Trump's speech in Davos is that while he has supposedly ruled out military action, which is good, I don't trust him because he's already flip-flopped on that a couple of times."

Texas Republican Representative Troy Nehls said: "So I think just having a conversation with them, Denmark, you're going to get a fair deal here. But we're going to protect Greenland. We're going to protect Europe like we have been. And I just think it's our national interest to acquire Greenland through negotiation."