Donald Trump Ditches Tariff Threat In Latest Climbdown Over Greenland
Donald Trump has ditched his threat to impose tariffs on the UK and seven other European nations over Greenland.
The US president said he had agreed “the framework of a future deal” on the island “and the entire Arctic Region” after talks with Nato general secretary Mark Rutte.
It is unclear whether this means Trump has also ditched his bid to bring Greenland under American control.
His latest climbdown comes just hours after he ruled out using military force to annex the island, which has been a semi-autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark for more than 300 years.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: “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.
“This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations. Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the Tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1st.
“Additional discussions are being held concerning The Golden Dome as it pertains to Greenland. Further information will be made available as discussions progress. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and various others, as needed, will be responsible for the negotiations — They will report directly to me. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Trump threatened on Saturday to slap a 10% tariff on the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland from February 1 if America had not taken control of Greenland.
They would then have risen to 25% on June 1 if the stalemate continued.
Earlier on Wednesday, Keir Starmer insisted he “would not yield” to Trump in his opposition to the president’s plans.
Posting on X, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: “I welcome news that President Trump has dropped his threat of tariffs for now. This will be a relief to businesses who are already facing so many challenges.
“It is also good to hear Trump rule out the use of force in Greenland. Greenland’s future must be decided by its people.”