Trump walks back tariff threat against EU countries over Greenland

US President Donald Trump has reversed plans to impose tariffs on eight European nations over Greenland, citing a “framework of a future deal,” halting the threatened 10–25% duties.

US President Donald Trump has softened his stance regarding proposed tariffs on eight European nations over the Greenland dispute.

Trump has walked back his threat to impose broad US tariffs on eight EU countries, stating that he had reached “the framework of a future deal” concerning Greenland, The Gurdian reported, 

Just four days after threatening significant import duties on several US allies over their support for Greenland’s continued status as an autonomous Danish territory, the president stepped back.

Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that the US will not implement 10% tariffs on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland starting February 1. He had also previously warned that the tariffs could rise to 25% from June 1. 

The threat sparked widespread concern, drawing criticism from senior European leaders who stated they “will not allow ourselves to be blackmailed”, along with cautionary remarks from economists.

Following what he described as a “very productive” meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday, Trump said he had established “the framework” of a deal regarding Greenland, though he did not provide further details.

“Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the Tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1,” the president said.

Trump offered no additional details about the agreement but said discussions are ongoing regarding a US missile defence system that would partly be based in Greenland.

He asserted at the Davos economic forum in Switzerland that the deal would last “forever.” Speaking to CNBC, he added, “We have a concept of a deal. I believe it will be very good for both the United States and them. It’s somewhat complex, but we will provide more details later.”

Denmark’s foreign minister said it was a positive development that Trump had ruled out using military force to take Greenland.