US President, Donald Trump has stepped back from a threatened wave of tariffs on European countries following what he described as a new framework agreement involving Greenland and the wider Arctic region.
Speaking after meeting NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump announced that the United States and NATO had “formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region.”
He made the announcement late Wednesday on his Truth Social platform, framing it as a strategic development tied to security, trade, and geopolitical cooperation in the Arctic.
When pressed by reporters on whether the framework aligned with his long-standing interest in the United States owning Greenland, Trump said the situation was “a little bit complex,” stopping short of any claim of ownership. Rutte, meanwhile, played down speculation, saying Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland had not been discussed during their talks.
Following the announcement, Trump confirmed he would suspend previously announced tariffs on eight European countries, which had been scheduled to take effect on February 1.
The move was welcomed by several European governments, including Denmark, Italy, and the Netherlands, which described the decision as a positive step for transatlantic relations and economic stability. The tariff threat had raised concerns of renewed trade tensions between Washington and Europe before its sudden reversal.
Earlier in Davos, Trump also sought to calm fears about his rhetoric on Greenland, saying he would not use force to take control of the territory. He stated that while the United States had the power to act, it would not resort to “excessive strength and force,” emphasizing diplomacy over confrontation.