DAVOS (MNN); United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that he is abandoning plans to impose heavy tariffs on several European countries following discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte over Greenland and the Arctic region.
In a social media post, Trump said the tariffs would not be enforced after both sides agreed on what he described as a “framework of a future deal” concerning Greenland and the broader Arctic region. He claimed the understanding would benefit the United States as well as all NATO member states, though he did not disclose further details.
For weeks, Trump had threatened to take control of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, triggering strong criticism across Europe and beyond. Earlier this month, he announced plans to impose 10 percent tariffs starting February 1 on Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, citing their opposition to his Greenland proposal.
Trump has repeatedly accused Denmark of failing to adequately protect Greenland’s territorial waters in the Arctic and argued that US control of the island was essential for American national security. However, both Danish and Greenlandic leaders strongly rejected the claims, sparking protests under the slogan “Hands off Greenland”.
French President Emmanuel Macron had condemned the tariff threats, calling them unacceptable and warning that Europe would respond collectively to defend its sovereignty.
Trump’s reversal came hours after he addressed world leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he said that while he considered the acquisition of Greenland necessary, his administration would not use force and instead sought immediate negotiations.
Welcoming the announcement, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said Trump’s decision showed that European unity and cooperation with allies had made a difference, adding that Europe would not accept pressure or coercion over border-related demands.
