President Trump on Wednesday said he would abandon plans to impose tariffs on eight NATO allies, including Denmark, after announcing what he described as a preliminary framework for a future agreement related to Greenland and the Arctic region.
The president had previously threatened to levy 10 percent tariffs on the eight countries, with plans to raise them to 25 percent beginning June 1. He said the tariffs would remain in place until “such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.” Those tariffs were scheduled to take effect on February 1.
In a post on Truth Social Wednesday afternoon, Trump said the decision followed discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
“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. “Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the Tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1st.”
The announcement came just hours after Trump renewed his push for U.S. control of Greenland during remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Speaking to an audience that included European leaders, Trump argued that Greenland is strategically vital and suggested the United States could take control of the territory by force, before ultimately ruling out that option.
“We never asked for anything, and we never got anything, we probably won’t get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force, where we would be, frankly, unstoppable. But I won’t do that,” Trump said. “I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force. All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland.”
The comments marked the first time Trump explicitly ruled out military action to seize Greenland. Earlier in the week, he declined to answer when asked whether he would consider using force.
Despite rejecting the use of force, Trump warned European leaders that refusal could have consequences.
“We want a piece of ice for world protection… they won’t give it,” he said. “They have a choice. Say ‘yes’ and we’ll be appreciative. Say ‘no’ and we will remember.”
Trump later reiterated that U.S. ownership, rather than a lease or agreement, would be necessary for defense purposes.
“Who the hell wants to defend a license agreement or a lease?” he said. “You need the ownership to defend it, you can’t defend it on a lease.”
Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, a NATO member. Under NATO’s collective defense principle, an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.
During his remarks, Trump emphasized that Europe had “a choice,” linking support for his Greenland proposal to broader U.S. commitments to NATO.
“You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative, or you can say no, and we will remember a strong and secure America means a strong NATO,” he said.
Critics have warned that any attempt to forcibly annex Greenland could severely damage the NATO alliance. Editors at National Review previously wrote that such an action “would risk shattering NATO entirely or leaving it a shadow of its former self,” arguing that the geopolitical costs would outweigh any strategic gains.
In recent days, Trump has also linked the Greenland issue to his long-running frustration over the Nobel Peace Prize. In a text message to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump blamed Greenland-related disputes for his failure to receive the award.
“Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace,” Trump wrote, adding that he would now focus on what he believed was best for the United States.
Støre responded Monday with a statement reaffirming Norway’s position. “Norway’s position on Greenland is clear. Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Norway fully supports the Kingdom of Denmark on this matter,” he said.
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