Washington: US President Donald Trump has stepped back from his controversial plan to impose additional tariffs on eight European countries following a crucial meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The decision comes after the United States and NATO reached a preliminary understanding on the future of Greenland, easing tensions that had arisen over Trump’s earlier push to bring the Arctic territory under US control. As a result, Trump withdrew his plan to impose special tariffs that were scheduled to take effect from February 1.
Describing the meeting as “highly productive,” Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social that a framework agreement covering Greenland and the Arctic region had been drafted. Trump added that the emerging understanding would be beneficial for both the United States and NATO member states.
Trump also confirmed that talks on Greenland’s ownership and strategic role would continue, with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio leading the negotiations on behalf of the US administration.
Earlier, Trump had announced a 10 per cent import duty on goods from eight European nations—including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France and the UK—accusing them of opposing his Greenland initiative. Trump had further warned that the tariff would be increased to 25 per cent from June 1 if no agreement was reached.
The latest move signals a temporary easing of transatlantic trade tensions, even as discussions over Greenland’s future and Arctic security are set to continue.
