Trump Withdraws Tariff Threats Over Greenland Following NATO Talks

Thu Jan 22 2026 02:55:10 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

President Donald Trump has decided against imposing tariffs on European nations over his Greenland acquisition aspirations after a productive discussion with NATO Secretary General.

President Trump announced that he will not impose tariffs on European countries that opposed his efforts to acquire Greenland, following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Trump suggested that this deal could involve mineral rights and emphasized its potential benefits for both the United States and NATO nations. Previously, he planned to introduce tariffs on imports from several European countries until a purchase agreement was reached. The specifics of the negotiations remain unclear, particularly regarding Greenland’s rich rare earth minerals.

President Donald Trump has said he no longer plans to impose tariffs on European countries that had opposed his ambitions for the US to acquire Greenland.

In a social media post, Trump said his decision followed 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.

Trump told CNBC that the deal, which he said would last forever, could involve mineral rights and the planned Golden Dome missile defence system.

Announcing his decision on Truth Social, Trump said more information would be made available as discussions progress.

He added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff would report directly to him as negotiations proceed. No further details were provided.

Trump had previously dismissed the idea of a lease agreement, saying that you defend ownership. You don't defend leases. It also remains unclear what role rare earth minerals could play. Greenland has vast - and largely untapped - reserves of rare earth minerals, many of which are crucial for technologies including mobile phones and electric vehicles.

Trump had said he was planning to place a 10% tariff on any and all goods sent from the UK to the US from 1 February, increasing to 25% from 1 June, until a deal is reached for Washington to purchase Greenland from Denmark.

In an earlier address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump said he was seeking immediate negotiations to acquire Greenland, but insisted he won't use force to take over the territory.

Under existing agreements with Denmark, the US has the power to bring as many troops as it wants to Greenland. However, Trump suggested he would not be receptive to any agreements on the US use of Greenland that fall short of full ownership.

French President Emmanuel Macron criticized Trump's previous threat of tariffs, stating that an endless accumulation of new tariffs from the US was "fundamentally unacceptable." Macron was among those urging the EU to consider retaliatory options against US tariffs.