Former President Donald Trump has announced the cessation of planned tariffs on European nations that previously opposed his efforts to have the United States acquire Greenland.
In a post on social media, Mr. Trump stated that this decision was reached after a “very productive meeting” with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
“This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all Nato Nations,” he wrote.
Speaking with CNBC, Mr. Trump suggested the agreement, which he anticipates will last “forever,” could encompass mineral rights and the prospective Golden Dome missile defence system.
Announcing his decision via Truth Social, Mr. Trump indicated that further details would be provided “as discussions progress.”
He further noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff would “report directly” to him throughout the negotiation process. No additional information was disclosed.
Mr. Trump had previously rejected the concept of a lease agreement, asserting that “you defend ownership. You don’t defend leases.”
The role of rare earth minerals also remains undefined. Greenland possesses substantial – and largely unexploited – reserves of these minerals, many of which are vital for technologies, including mobile phones and electric vehicles.
According to a recent analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, based in Washington, D.C., the Arctic territory ranks eighth globally in rare earth mineral resources.
Mr. Trump had initially proposed a 10% tariff “on any and all goods” shipped from the UK to the US, effective from February 1st, with a planned increase to 25% from June 1st, contingent upon reaching an agreement for Washington to purchase Greenland from Denmark.
The same measures would have applied to goods originating from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland – all member states of NATO, the defence alliance established in 1949.
During an earlier address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Mr. Trump declared that he was “seeking immediate negotiations” to acquire Greenland, but emphasized that he “won’t use force” to take control of the territory.
“We probably won’t get anything unless I decide to use excessive force. We’d be unstoppable, but we won’t do that,” Mr. Trump stated on Wednesday. “I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force.”
He also urged world leaders to permit the US to assume control of Greenland from Denmark, stating: “You can say yes and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no and we will remember.”
Under existing agreements with Denmark, the US is authorized to deploy an unlimited number of troops to Greenland. It currently maintains a permanent military presence of over 100 personnel at its Pituffik base, located in the territory’s north-western region.
However, during his address, Mr. Trump implied that he would not be receptive to any agreements concerning US use of Greenland that did not entail full ownership.
“Psychologically, who the hell wants to defend a license agreement or a lease?” he questioned.
“[Greenland] is a large piece of ice in the middle of the ocean, where if there is a war, much of the action will take place on that piece of ice.”
In his own speech at Davos, French President Emmanuel Macron criticised Mr. Trump’s earlier tariff threat, deeming an “endless accumulation of new tariffs” from the US as “fundamentally unacceptable.”
Mr. Macron was among those encouraging the EU to consider retaliatory measures against US tariffs.
Mr. Trump utilized his speech to target Mr. Macron. He stated that he had cautioned him regarding the necessity of raising drug prices, which he claimed the French president had refused to do until he threatened “a 100% tariff” on wines and champagnes.
He added that France had been “screwing” the US for decades.
Mr. Trump also appeared to dismiss remarks from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. On Tuesday, Mr. Carney urged “middle powers” to unite, adding: “If we’re not at the table, we’re on the menu.”
Middle powers, such as Canada, Australia, Argentina, South Korea, and Brazil, are nations that maintain significant influence in global politics, despite having smaller economies.
He also said “Canada was amongst the first to hear the wake-up call” that geography and historic alliances no longer guaranteed security or prosperity.
In response, the US president accused Carney of being ungrateful to the US.
“Canada lives because of the United States,” Mr. Trump stated. “Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.”
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The move follows renewed tensions between the US and EU, as Donald Trump pushes to acquire Greenland.
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