President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he would call off new tariffs on several European countries following an agreement with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on a framework for a future deal involving Greenland and the Arctic region.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the decision followed a “very productive meeting” with Rutte, a former Dutch diplomat, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
“Based upon a very productive meeting that I have had with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, we have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region,” Trump wrote.
As a result of this understanding, Trump said, “I will not be imposing the tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1.”
Trump Urges Immediate Talks on Greenland, Says He Has No Desire to Use Force
The announcement marks a reversal of Trump’s earlier threat to impose a 10% tariff on exports from eight European countries, a move that had triggered a sharp diplomatic backlash.
The tariffs were aimed at countries opposing Washington’s stance on acquiring Greenland.
Major NATO allies, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the Netherlands, were among those set to be affected by the additional duties.
“This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America and all NATO nations,” Trump said, referring to the framework agreement.
Trump has repeatedly pressed Denmark, which controls semi-autonomous Greenland, to transfer control of the strategically located island to Washington, arguing that it is critical to the effectiveness of U.S. defense systems against emerging security threats.
European leaders, however, have pushed back, warning that such a move would undermine the sovereignty of a NATO member state.
The U.S. president also said further discussions were underway regarding the “Golden Dome” missile defense initiative as it relates to Greenland.
Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and other senior U.S. officials will lead the negotiations as needed and report directly to him, Trump said.
Ali Imran is a Washington-based journalist, who has worked for leading world news organizations as a correspondent, expert and in editorial positions. He is a published author and poet.
