US President Trump withdraws tariff menace towards Europeans | EUROtoday

As of: January 22, 2026 1:04 a.m

US President Trump has withdrawn his menace of punitive tariffs towards Germany and different European nations. He agreed with NATO Secretary General Rutte on a framework for a future settlement on Greenland and the Arctic.

US President Donald Trump has introduced that he’ll forego punitive tariffs towards a complete of eight European nations. On his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that he had agreed with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on a framework for a attainable future settlement on Greenland.

Trump actually wrote: “Based on a very productive meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, we have established the framework for a future agreement regarding Greenland and even the entire Arctic region. This solution, if implemented, will be of great benefit to the United States of America and all NATO countries. Based on this agreement, I will not impose the tariffs that were scheduled to come into force on February 1st.”

Agreement, however no deal finished but

Trump didn’t present any particular particulars concerning the content material or design of this settlement. According to him, the framework settlement fulfills all the needs of the United States. Everyone concerned was pleased with the settlement, Trump stated after assembly with Rutte in Davos.

However, it isn’t but a “deal” within the sense of an agreed settlement, based on knowledgeable individuals on the World Economic Forum. The deliberate settlement subsequently gives for a brand new model of the protection settlement between Denmark and the USA concluded in 1951.

This settlement at the moment regulates the stationing of US troops in Greenland. In addition, the approaching negotiations will probably be about funding controls – the USA needs to have a say in who’s allowed to take a position on Greenlandic soil and, for instance, mine mineral assets or not. A stronger dedication by the European NATO states within the Arctic can be deliberate.

Framework settlement “for eternity”?

Trump advised CNBC that the deliberate framework settlement on Greenland was “for eternity.” The particulars of the “somewhat complex” settlement could be introduced at a later date. Trump additionally pronounces that the Greenland compromise will probably be negotiated by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, particular envoy Steve Witkoff and a number of other others.

It is unclear whether or not the settlement consists of the takeover of the island by the USA. When requested about it, Trump hesitated briefly, then merely advised a CNN reporter: It was “a little complex,” however it was a long-term settlement.

NATO emphasizes “joint action” by Arctic allies

NATO Secretary General Rutte has now confirmed Trump’s statements. What Trump stated was utterly appropriate, the Dutchman stated on the sidelines of talks on the World Economic Forum in Davos ARD. However, he didn’t need to give particulars. He merely stated there could be additional discussions.

According to Rutte, the query of the sovereignty of the autonomous area has not been mentioned. The “topic no longer came up in my conversations with the president tonight,” Rutte advised US broadcaster Fox News.

A spokeswoman for the NATO Secretary General added a bit later that discussions amongst NATO allies concerning the framework talked about by Trump would now deal with guaranteeing safety within the Arctic via joint motion by the Allies, particularly the seven Arctic Allies USA, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland. “Negotiations between Denmark, Greenland and the United States will continue – with the aim of ensuring that Russia and China never gain a foothold in Greenland, neither economically nor militarily,” she stated.

NATO companions reject US possession of Greenland

The NATO companions had already categorically dominated out full possession of Greenland, as Trump had beforehand demanded in his Davos speech. Trump wrote on Truth Social that there would even be additional discussions in relation to Greenland concerning the “Golden Dome” missile protection system, which is meant to guard the USA from long-range missiles.

Last week, Trump threatened to impose tariffs of 10 p.c towards European states that oppose his demand for Greenland to affix the United States beginning in February. From June 1st, these tariffs ought to rise to 25 p.c if no settlement for a US buy of the island is reached by then.

Several NATO nations, together with Germany, had beforehand despatched small reconnaissance groups to Greenland to look at the probabilities for army workout routines. Trump criticized this sharply.

Denmark: “Day ends better than it started”

Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen expressed reduction at Trump’s announcement that he would finish the commerce dispute. “The day ends better than it began,” stated the minister. It is constructive if which means one can return to extra regular communication channels than the net platform Truth Social. It can be necessary {that a} resolution is discovered that respects the individuals of Greenland. Denmark needs to answer the USA’s considerations.

Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Stenergard explains on X that it’s good that US President Donald Trump is now waiving punitive tariffs. It appears just like the cooperation of Denmark’s supporters has had an impression.

With data from Kathrin Hondl, ARD studio Geneva