US President Donald Trump has pulled back from a proposed round of tariffs targeting several European countries, following what he described as a new framework agreement involving Greenland and the wider Arctic region.
Speaking after a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said the United States and NATO had “established the framework of a future deal concerning Greenland and, indeed, the entire Arctic region.”
He later shared the announcement on his Truth Social platform late Wednesday, presenting it as a strategic step linked to security, trade, and broader geopolitical cooperation in the Arctic.
When questioned by reporters about whether the framework reflected his long-standing interest in the United States owning Greenland, Trump described the matter as “a little bit complex,” stopping short of making any ownership claims. Rutte, however, downplayed the speculation, stressing that Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland was not discussed during their meeting.
Following the announcement, Trump confirmed that he would suspend the previously announced tariffs on eight European countries, which were due to take effect on February 1.
The decision was welcomed by several European governments, including Denmark, Italy, and the Netherlands, which said it marked a positive move for transatlantic relations and economic stability. The threatened tariffs had earlier sparked concerns over renewed trade tensions between Washington and Europe before the abrupt reversal.
Earlier at the Davos summit, Trump also sought to ease concerns surrounding his comments on Greenland, stating that he would not use force to take control of the territory. While noting that the United States had the capability to act, he emphasised that it would not rely on “excessive strength and force,” underscoring diplomacy over confrontation.
