Trump drops his tariff threats, promising continued negotiations to acquire Greenland

President Trump is forgoing his threat to impose tariffs on European nations that disagree with his desire to put Greenland under U.S. control.

He said Wednesday that he and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte came up with a framework for a future deal for Greenland and the entire Arctic region.

Because of this, he will not be imposing the tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect Feb. 1.

Mr. Trump and Mr. Rutte met while at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Mr. Trump last week threatened 10% import tax on eight European countries until a deal is reached for the “Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.” The new 10% duties would be raised to 25% on June 1 if a deal is not in place, he said.

The countries included Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

“This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations,” he said on Truth Social.

The White House previously made clear that all options are on the table to acquire Greenland, but in Davos, Mr. Trump said he will not use “force” to annex the Arctic island.

“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, where we already had it as a trustee,” he said in a speech Wednesday to the gathering of wealthy business executives and powerful politicians at the Swiss resort.

The president has repeatedly asserted that the U.S. needs to annex the Arctic island for national security reasons.

In Davos, he said that only U.S. control over the Denmark-controlled Arctic island will keep Russia and China at bay.

“I have tremendous respect for both the people of Greenland and the people of Denmark,” Mr. Trump said. “The fact is, no nation or group of nations is in any position to secure Greenland other than the United States.”