US, Jan 22 : President Donald Trump has said the United States will not proceed with tariffs it had earlier threatened to impose on several European countries over the Greenland issue, following discussions with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
The tariffs, which were expected to take effect from February 1, have now been shelved. Trump announced the decision after what he described as a “very productive” meeting with Rutte, saying the talks helped shape a broader framework for a future agreement related to Greenland and the Arctic region.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the understanding reached would benefit both the United States and its NATO allies.
“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, adding that the proposed solution would be beneficial for the US and all NATO nations.
He said the decision to back off from tariffs was directly linked to this understanding, noting that the levies scheduled for February 1 would no longer be imposed.
What changed after the NATO meeting
The tariff threat had been part of a broader push by Trump to pressure European allies over Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark that holds strategic importance due to its Arctic location.
Trump said discussions would now continue on related security initiatives, including the proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence project, which he has linked to Greenland’s strategic role.
“Additional discussions are being held concerning The Golden Dome as it pertains to Greenland,” Trump said, adding that further details would be released as talks progress.
He said Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff would lead the negotiations and report directly to him.
Why Greenland remains a flashpoint
Earlier, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump renewed his call for “immediate negotiations” with European partners over Greenland, arguing that US control of the territory would strengthen NATO rather than undermine it.
“This would not be a threat to NATO. This would greatly enhance the security of the entire alliance,” Trump said.
Trump has repeatedly argued that Greenland is critical to US national security and central to future defence planning, asserting that Washington is best placed to protect and develop the Arctic island.
However, Denmark, Greenland’s leadership and several European governments have firmly rejected the idea of any sale, stressing Greenland’s right to self determination. The dispute has also raised concerns within NATO, with European leaders warning that any forced move could strain the alliance.