Former President Donald Trump has resurrected his infamous "two weeks" timeline when pressed for specifics about his proposed Greenland deal, promising substantial details about the arrangement with Europe within that familiar timeframe. The declaration came as Trump returned from Davos yesterday, where he discussed his "concept of a deal" concerning the strategically important island.
The Notorious Timeline Returns
During his initial administration, Trump became notorious for repeatedly promising major announcements that were supposedly just "two weeks" away, creating a pattern of anticipation that often led to delayed or altered outcomes. Now, according to reports from Mediaite, he has employed exactly the same phrasing regarding his Greenland proposals, stating "We'll have something in two weeks" while emphasising the need for "strong freedom" and military capability.
Questioning the Difference
When journalists questioned how Trump's proposed arrangement would differ from the United States' existing agreement with Greenland - which currently permits the maintenance of the Thule Air Base - the former president responded with characteristic vagueness. He promised the new deal would be "much different, much more detail, much more generous to the United States" before referencing his proposed "Golden Dome" defence system that would cover what he described as "that piece of ice."
Pattern of Promises
This latest "two weeks" declaration follows a consistent pattern throughout Trump's political career. Most recently, he unveiled his Great Healthcare Plan - another policy originally promised within two weeks approximately five years earlier. The healthcare proposal involves direct government payments to consumers intended for insurance costs, though critics argue that funding existing government healthcare programmes would represent a more efficient allocation of resources.
Historical Precedents
The two-week timeline has featured prominently in numerous Trump policy announcements with varying results. In June 2025, he warned of possible U.S. intervention in Iran within two weeks, only to launch strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities just two days later. During negotiations concerning Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, he frequently floated the same timeframe without resulting in resolution.
One notable instance where Trump ultimately delivered on a two-week promise was his withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement. After announcing in late April 2017 that he would decide on withdrawal within two weeks, he formally pulled the country from the international climate accord on June 1st - technically four weeks later rather than two, but nevertheless fulfilling the broader commitment.
Strategic Significance
Greenland has remained a persistent focus for Trump, who has repeatedly emphasised its strategic importance for his proposed Golden Dome defence system. The island's location between the North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean makes it valuable for military and surveillance purposes, though details about how any new arrangement would substantially differ from existing agreements remain unclear.
As world leaders now face another two-week waiting period for specifics about Trump's Greenland proposals, observers note the familiar pattern of ambitious promises followed by uncertain timelines. The former president's latest employment of his trademark phrase suggests continuity in his approach to major policy announcements, maintaining suspense while offering minimal concrete information about implementation details or substantive differences from current arrangements.
