US President Donald Trump announced the United States and NATO have formed the "framework of a future deal" regarding Greenland and the Arctic region following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, stating he will not impose tariffs on Denmark that were scheduled for February 1.
"This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations," Trump said in a statement posted on social media, Truth Social, on January 21.
Trump said additional discussions are being held concerning "The Golden Dome as it pertains to Greenland" and that Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and various others will be responsible for negotiations, reporting directly to him.
The announcement represents a significant development in Trump's pursuit of acquiring Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, which he has repeatedly expressed interest in controlling for strategic and resource reasons.
The president said the framework emerged from what he described as a "very productive meeting" with Rutte. Trump did not provide specific details about the nature of the agreement or timeline for finalising the deal.
Greenland, home to a major US military installation at Thule Air Base, has strategic importance for Arctic operations and contains significant mineral resources. The island has been part of the Kingdom of Denmark since 1721, though it gained home rule in 1979 and expanded self-governance in 2009.
Danish officials have previously rejected Trump's interest in purchasing Greenland, with former Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen calling the idea "absurd" in 2019 during Trump's first term.
Trump's decision to suspend the planned tariffs on Denmark comes as his administration has threatened trade measures against various countries. The president did not specify what tariffs were scheduled for February 1 or provide details about trade disputes with Denmark.
Trump suspends European tariffs after 'framework' Greenland deal agreed
The announcement came hours after Trump's Davos speech, where repeated the US needed Greenland for national and global security, and said NATO members they could agree to US control and "we'll be very appreciative."
US President Donald Trump announced late Wednesday he would not impose tariffs on eight European nations scheduled to take effect on 1 February, citing progress in talks with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Greenland in Davos.
Trump said the two leaders reached "the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland" during what he described as productive discussions, and declared the potential agreement would benefit the US and all NATO members.
"Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on 1 February," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The tariffs, announced days before the World Economic Forum, were set to start at 10% on goods from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and an eighth country, with rates climbing to 25% by June.
Trump had demanded the levies remain until European nations supported US acquisition of Greenland from Denmark.
Trump said US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and other officials would handle negotiations, reporting directly to him.
The announcement came hours after Trump's Davos speech, where repeated the US needed Greenland for national and global security, and said NATO members they could agree to US control and "we'll be very appreciative."
Trump also excluded the possibility of the US using force to take control of the Arctic island.
Rutte had urged "thoughtful diplomacy" during his own Davos remarks Wednesday, acknowledging tensions within the alliance whilst expressing commitment to finding solutions on Greenland.
Trump had earlier this week published a private message from Rutte pledging to work toward a resolution.
The tariff threats had triggered emergency EU meetings scheduled for Thursday and discussions of retaliatory measures. French President Emmanuel Macron had advocated activating the EU's anti-coercion instrument, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned the bloc's response would be "unflinching, united and proportional."
Trump's Greenland campaign has opened the deepest rift between Washington and its European allies in decades.
No comments:
Post a Comment