Trump Walks Back Europe Tariff Threats Over Greenland

January 22, 2026 | 03:22 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - U.S. President Donald Trump has walked back his threat to impose tariffs on European countries that opposed his bid to acquire Greenland. Trump has ruled out the use of force to seize the territory. His change of stance has come as a surprise in a dispute that has brought transatlantic relations to their lowest point in decades.

As per Al Jazeera, Trump stated on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, that he would not proceed with his tariff threats after he and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte agreed on a "framework" for a future deal involving Greenland and the Arctic region.

"This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations," said Trump in a post on Truth Social after meeting Rutte on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Trump mentioned that discussions were also underway regarding his plans for the "Golden Dome," a proposed missile defense shield, and the territory. His post did not provide details about this framework.

In a brief statement to reporters in Davos, Trump said that they discussed security, minerals, and "everything else." In an interview with Fox News on Wednesday, Rutte gave few details about the framework and avoided questions about whether the U.S. would take over ownership of the island.

“We basically discussed how can we implement the president’s vision on protecting, yes, Greenland but not only Greenland, the whole Arctic,” Rutte said.

NATO spokesperson, Allison Hart, described the meeting between Trump and Rutte as productive. Hart stated that the framework would focus on the collective effort of allies to maintain security in the Arctic.

“Negotiations between Denmark, Greenland, and the United States will go forward aimed at ensuring that Russia and China never gain a foothold—economically or militarily—in Greenland,” Hart said.

For weeks, Trump has been threatening to take over Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, raising doubts about the future of the NATO military alliance and transatlantic trade worth around US$1.7 trillion. Trump threatened to impose a 10 percent tariff on Denmark and seven other European countries starting February 1, which would increase to 25 percent from June 1, unless an agreement was reached for the US to buy the island.

Trump's U-turn on tariffs occurred just hours after he told international leaders gathered in Davos that he would not use force to seize Greenland. However, he reiterated that only the U.S. could secure the vast and mineral-rich territory.

"We never wanted anything, we never got anything. I could use force but I won't. All the US is asking for is Greenland. We will build the greatest golden dome ever, on Greenland," Trump was quoted from NDTV.

He stated that no country or group of countries is capable of securing Greenland besides the United States. "We're a great power, much greater than people even understand. I think they found that out two weeks ago in Venezuela. It's the United States alone that can protect this giant mass of land, this giant piece of ice, develop it and improve it. That's the reason I'm seeking immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the United States," he said.

"I have tremendous respect for people of Greenland and Denmark, but only U.S. can secure Greenland. I don't have to use force. I don't want to use force. I won't use force," he added.

Read: Trump Touts Policies, Renews Greenland Ambitions at WEF

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Trump Touts Policies, Renews Greenland Ambitions at WEF

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