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US President Donald Trump has said the United States will not go ahead with tariffs it had threatened to impose on some European countries over Greenland.
The tariffs were earlier expected to take effect from February 1. That plan is now off the table.
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Trump announced the decision after what he described as a “very productive” meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. According to him, the talks helped shape a broader framework for a future agreement related to Greenland and the Arctic region.
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In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the understanding reached would benefit both the United States and 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. 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,” the US President wrote.
What changed after the NATO meeting
The tariff threat had been part of a wider push by Trump to pressure European allies over Greenland. The island is an autonomous territory of Denmark, but holds strategic importance because of its Arctic location.
Trump said discussions will now continue on related security projects, including what he called the “Golden Dome”, which he linked directly to Greenland.
“Additional discussions are being held concerning The Golden Dome as it pertains to Greenland,” Trump said, adding that more details would be shared later.
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.
Earlier, Trump had openly argued that Washington “needs” Greenland for national security. He has repeatedly said the Arctic island is central to US defence planning.
Why Greenland remains a flashpoint
Speaking earlier at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump renewed his call for “immediate negotiations” with European partners over Greenland. He insisted that US control of the territory would not harm NATO.
“This would not be a threat to NATO. This would greatly enhance the security of the entire alliance,” he said.
Trump argued that Greenland could be better protected and developed under US leadership, claiming this would also benefit Europe.
“It’s the United States alone that can protect this giant mass of land… and make it so that it’s good for Europe and safe for Europe and good for us,” he said.
He has previously warned European nations that tariffs could rise to 10 per cent from February 1, 2026, and 25 per cent from June 1, 2026, if negotiations failed.
Denmark, Greenland’s leadership and several European governments have rejected the idea of any sale, stressing Greenland’s right to self-determination. The standoff has also raised concerns within NATO, with some European leaders warning that any forced move could seriously strain the alliance.
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