Politics

/

ArcaMax

Trump backs off Greenland tariffs, citing 'framework' deal

Hadriana Lowenkron and Sara Sjolin, Bloomberg News on

Published in Political News

President Donald Trump said he would refrain from imposing tariffs on goods from European nations opposing his effort to take possession of Greenland, citing a “framework of a future deal” he said was reached regarding the island.

The decision, which Trump announced Wednesday on social media, marks a stark reversal for a president who has repeatedly attempted to coerce Europe over Greenland. It came after a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Still, Trump did not detail the parameters of the so-called “framework” and it was unclear what the agreement entails, especially since Denmark earlier Wednesday ruled out negotiations over ceding the semi-autonomous island to the U.S.

“We have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region,” Trump posted. “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.”

U.S. stocks jumped on the news that tariffs wouldn’t be implemented, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 rallying to session highs. Treasuries extended gains, and the Bloomberg Dollar Index rose to a daily high.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen welcomed the latest developments, saying in a Wednesday interview with local broadcaster DR that “the day ends better than it started.” Rasmussen, however, added that it’s obvious that Trump has not given up on his ambition to gain control of Greenland, which is still “a red line for the Kingdom of Denmark.”

Trump told reporters after his post that he would release the specifics of the agreement shortly. He declined to answer when asked if it grants U.S. ownership of Greenland, saying “it’s a long-term deal. It’s the ultimate long-term deal, and I think it puts everybody in a real good position.” He said it would last for an “infinite” period of time.

In an interview with CNBC, Trump said he had not spoken directly with officials in Denmark about his “concepts of a plan” for Greenland, but added that he assumed Rutte had briefed leaders there. He also said the U.S. would be “involved” in Greenland’s mineral rights, without elaborating.

The U.S. president said there would be additional discussions on the Golden Dome missile-defense system, which he cited in justifying his pursuit of Greenland. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and “various others” will be responsible for negotiations, Trump added in his post.

“Negotiations between Denmark, Greenland, and the United States will go forward aimed at ensuring that Russia and China never gain a foothold — economically or militarily — in Greenland,” a NATO spokesperson said in a statement after the Trump-Rutte meeting, adding that discussions “will focus on ensuring Arctic security through the collective efforts of Allies, especially the seven Arctic Allies.”

Trump’s brinkmanship over Greenland touched off a diplomatic crisis with Europe and spooked financial markets. A day earlier, stocks and the dollar fell before the president’s climb-down.

The European Parliament froze ratification of the European Union’s trade agreement with the U.S. in response to Trump’s escalating threats. On Saturday, Trump said he would impose tariffs of 10% on goods from eight European countries on Feb. 1 unless a deal was reached for the purchase of Greenland, with the rate increasing to 25% on June 1 if an agreement was not made by then.

While the Greenland crisis may be defused for now, the famously mercurial president could spark tensions again in the future.

 

In a speech at Davos earlier Wednesday, Trump ruled out the use of military force to take control of the island. But he still used menacing language to describe what would happen if Europe did not meet his demands.

“You can say yes, and we will be very appreciative, or you can say no, and we will remember,” the president said.

He also bristled at earlier comments from Rasmussen, who said that his nation “will not enter into any negotiations on the basis of giving up fundamental principles.”

“If he wants to tell me, he’ll tell me that to my face,” Trump said of Rasmussen, when asked during a meeting with the NATO chief about the remarks.

Trump’s aggressive play for Greenland nonetheless may have inflicted lasting damage on ties between the U.S. and its traditional allies. It comes after a year in which he raised tariffs on longtime trading partners, reduced support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia and struck blows against international institutions.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney declared during his Davos speech that recent events have shown the “rules-based international order” is effectively dead, and that other countries must forge new partnerships to withstand pressure tactics from great powers. French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump’s trade strategy is meant to “weaken and subordinate Europe.” Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever said he no longer considers the U.S. an ally.

Trump’s designs on Greenland cast a cloud over the annual gathering of the world’s business elite in Davos. Before his arrival, senior U.S. officials there talked down the chances of confrontation over the island.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent encouraged U.S. allies enraged by Trump’s threats to “sit back” and “take a deep breath,” avoiding retaliation. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick foreshadowed the retreat during a Davos panel, telling the assembled world leaders and business titans that the situation was “going to end in a reasonable manner.”

_____

With assistance from Derek Wallbank, Andrea Palasciano and Jennifer A. Dlouhy.

_____


©2026 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

 

Comments

blog comments powered by Disqus

 

Related Channels

The ACLU

ACLU

By The ACLU
Amy Goodman

Amy Goodman

By Amy Goodman
Armstrong Williams

Armstrong Williams

By Armstrong Williams
Austin Bay

Austin Bay

By Austin Bay
Ben Shapiro

Ben Shapiro

By Ben Shapiro
Betsy McCaughey

Betsy McCaughey

By Betsy McCaughey
Bill Press

Bill Press

By Bill Press
Bonnie Jean Feldkamp

Bonnie Jean Feldkamp

By Bonnie Jean Feldkamp
Cal Thomas

Cal Thomas

By Cal Thomas
Clarence Page

Clarence Page

By Clarence Page
Danny Tyree

Danny Tyree

By Danny Tyree
David Harsanyi

David Harsanyi

By David Harsanyi
Debra Saunders

Debra Saunders

By Debra Saunders
Dennis Prager

Dennis Prager

By Dennis Prager
Dick Polman

Dick Polman

By Dick Polman
Erick Erickson

Erick Erickson

By Erick Erickson
Froma Harrop

Froma Harrop

By Froma Harrop
Jacob Sullum

Jacob Sullum

By Jacob Sullum
Jamie Stiehm

Jamie Stiehm

By Jamie Stiehm
Jeff Robbins

Jeff Robbins

By Jeff Robbins
Jessica Johnson

Jessica Johnson

By Jessica Johnson
Jim Hightower

Jim Hightower

By Jim Hightower
Joe Conason

Joe Conason

By Joe Conason
John Stossel

John Stossel

By John Stossel
Josh Hammer

Josh Hammer

By Josh Hammer
Judge Andrew P. Napolitano

Judge Andrew Napolitano

By Judge Andrew P. Napolitano
Laura Hollis

Laura Hollis

By Laura Hollis
Marc Munroe Dion

Marc Munroe Dion

By Marc Munroe Dion
Michael Barone

Michael Barone

By Michael Barone
Mona Charen

Mona Charen

By Mona Charen
Rachel Marsden

Rachel Marsden

By Rachel Marsden
Rich Lowry

Rich Lowry

By Rich Lowry
Robert B. Reich

Robert B. Reich

By Robert B. Reich
Ruben Navarrett Jr.

Ruben Navarrett Jr

By Ruben Navarrett Jr.
Ruth Marcus

Ruth Marcus

By Ruth Marcus
S.E. Cupp

S.E. Cupp

By S.E. Cupp
Salena Zito

Salena Zito

By Salena Zito
Star Parker

Star Parker

By Star Parker
Stephen Moore

Stephen Moore

By Stephen Moore
Susan Estrich

Susan Estrich

By Susan Estrich
Ted Rall

Ted Rall

By Ted Rall
Terence P. Jeffrey

Terence P. Jeffrey

By Terence P. Jeffrey
Tim Graham

Tim Graham

By Tim Graham
Tom Purcell

Tom Purcell

By Tom Purcell
Veronique de Rugy

Veronique de Rugy

By Veronique de Rugy
Victor Joecks

Victor Joecks

By Victor Joecks
Wayne Allyn Root

Wayne Allyn Root

By Wayne Allyn Root

Comics

Bart van Leeuwen Michael Ramirez Joey Weatherford John Branch John Deering Phil Hands