A looming trade war between the United States and Europe was abruptly put on ice after President Donald Trump announced what he described as a breakthrough understanding tied to Greenland and the Arctic.
Following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said he had reached a preliminary agreement that eased tensions with European allies and halted previously threatened tariffs, according to the New York Post.
“We have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He said the tentative agreement would benefit both the U.S. and its allies.
“This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United States of America, and all NATO Nations. Based upon this understanding, I will not be imposing the Tariffs that were scheduled to go into effect on February 1st,” he added.
No immediate details were released about the framework, but the announcement marked a dramatic shift after days of escalating rhetoric between Washington and European capitals.
Greenland has become one of the most sensitive flashpoints in Trump’s relationship with Europe.
The president has repeatedly argued that U.S. control of the massive Arctic island is critical for global security, while Denmark has firmly rejected any suggestion of relinquishing it.
Earlier this week, Trump took an aggressive stance as European leaders pushed back. He warned that the U.S. would impose a sweeping 10% tariff on “any and all goods” imported from the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland, with the rate set to jump to 25% on June 1.
That plan has now been shelved.
Trump said Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will take the lead in future talks centered on Greenland.
The issue also dominated Trump’s remarks at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, where he made clear he was not interested in a military solution.
“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,” he added.
Trump also vented frustration with Denmark’s resistance, dismissively referring to Greenland as a “piece of ice.”
“We want a piece of ice for world protection — and they won’t give it,” he said.
“So they have a choice. You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no, and we will remember.”
He pointed to World War II, when the U.S. assumed control of Greenland after Denmark was overrun by Nazi Germany, before returning it after the war.
“After the war, we gave Greenland back to Denmark. How stupid were we to do that? But we did it. But how ungrateful are they now?” Trump said.
“We’ve never asked for anything else and we could have kept that piece of land and we didn’t sell,” he continued. “They have a choice. You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative — or you can say no and we will remember.”
Trump again stressed Greenland’s strategic value, warning of Chinese and Russian ambitions in the Arctic.
“If there is a war, much of the action will take place on that piece of ice, think of it. Those missiles will be flying right over the center of that piece of ice,” he said.
In his announcement, Trump also said any future deal would include discussions about “The Golden Dome,” the missile defense system he wants to deploy to protect the U.S. from incoming attacks.
