president Donald Trump on Wednesday lifted tariffs he had threatened to impose on eight European countries in a bid to force U.S. control Over GreenlandHis dramatic reversal came shortly after insisting he wanted to acquire the island “including rights, title and ownership”.
Trump posted on his social media site that he agreed nato chief A “future framework of agreements” on Arctic security could defuse tensions with far-reaching geopolitical implications.
He said “further discussions” were underway on Greenland. Golden Summit Missile Defense Plana $175 billion, multi-layered system that will put American weapons into space for the first time.
Trump did not reveal many details, saying they were still being worked out. But one idea being discussed by NATO members as part of a compromise with Trump is that Denmark and NATO would work with the United States to build more U.S. military bases in Greenland.
That’s according to a European official familiar with the matter but not authorized to comment publicly. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said it was unclear whether the idea was included in the framework announced by Trump.
Trump has previously lifted tariffs
The president has previously threatened tariffs but later backed down. April, after first saying he was going to slap huge import taxes Criticism of countries around the world had elicited strong negative reactions from markets, but Trump has softened his stance.
But this time he changed his mind only after he gave a speech at the convention. world economic forum in the Swiss Alps, focusing on Greenland and threatening to upend NATO, one of the world’s most unshakable alliances since the early days of the Cold War.
In his speech, Trump said he was asking for “cold and poorly situated” territory that the United States effectively saved Europe from during World War II, while declaring that NATO: “That’s a very small request compared to what we’ve given them over the decades.”
“Unless I decide to use excessive force and force, we’re probably not going to get anything, and frankly we’re going to be unstoppable. But I’m not going to do that, okay?” Trump said.
But Trump has also repeatedly said that while the United States will defend NATO, he does not trust the alliance to support Washington if needed, saying that is at least part of the reason for his aggressive stance on Greenland. This prompts NATO Secretary General Mark RutteAt a post-speech event with Trump, he said he would stand with the United States if the alliance was attacked.
“You can absolutely rest assured,” Rutte said. Soon after, Trump tweeted about lifting the tariffs.
Danish Foreign Minister Rasmussen said he welcomed Trump’s ruling out “taking Greenland by force” and suspending the “trade war with Europe.”
“Now, let’s sit down and see how we can address America’s security concerns in the Arctic while respecting the Kingdom of Denmark’s red lines,” he said in a statement.
President cited national security
Trump believes the United States needs Greenland to maintain national security and counter threats from Russia and China in the Arctic, even though the United States already has a large military base there. he Threats to impose high U.S. import taxes on Denmark and seven other allies Unless they negotiate the transfer of semi-autonomous territory.
Tariffs were scheduled to begin at 10% next month and climb to 25% in June.
Trump often tries to increase pressure on the other side when he thinks a favorable deal can be reached. His threat in Davos appeared to be on the verge of splitting NATO, which was formed by Europe’s leading powers, the United States and Canada, to fight the Soviet Union.
Other members of the alliance are adamant that Greenland is not for sale and cannot be taken away from Denmark, while angrily rejecting Trump’s promised tariffs.
After Trump spoke, a Danish government official told The Associated Press that Copenhagen was ready to discuss U.S. security concerns. But the official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, stressed the government’s position that “red lines” – or Denmark’s sovereignty – must be respected.
It’s unclear how Trump’s removal of tariffs might change that calculus.
Greenland tells citizens to prepare
Meanwhile, the Greenlandic government has responded by telling citizens to prepare. It has published a manual in English and Greenlandic on what to do in a crisis, urging residents to make sure they have enough food, water, fuel and supplies at home to survive for five days.
“We just went to the grocery store and bought supplies,” Tony Jakobsen said. Nuuk, the capital of Greenland As he spoke, he showed off the contents of the bag, which included candles, snacks and toilet paper.
Jacobson said he believed Trump’s comments about Greenland were “just threats… but it’s better to be prepared than unprepared.”
Before making the concession, Trump urged Denmark and other NATO countries to step aside and issued an ominous warning.
“We want a piece of ice to protect the world, but they won’t give it,” Trump said. “You can say yes and we’ll appreciate it. Or you can say no and we’ll remember it.”
He also called on the United States to start “immediate negotiations” on acquiring Greenland. In subsequent comments to reporters, he declined to say what the price might be, saying only, “There’s a bigger price, and that’s the price of safety and security, national security and international security.”
His arrival in Davos was delayed due to a minor incident Air Force One electrical issues Forced to return to Washington for transit. As Trump’s motorcade traveled along a narrow road to the address, onlookers, including some skiers, lined the route, some making obscene gestures.
financial markets have sharp decline On Trump’s threat to impose tariffs bounce back Wednesday. Some U.S. officials were relieved, too, and worried that Trump’s tough stance and bellicose rhetoric toward Greenland, Denmark and other NATO allies could undermine other foreign policy goals.
Trump’s Davos speech was supposed to focus on how to lower U.S. housing prices — part of a larger effort to lower the cost of living. Greenland triumphed instead, even though Trump mistakenly referred to it as Iceland four times in his speech.
“This huge, unsafe island is actually part of North America,” Trump said. “That’s our territory.”
When Trump finally brought up housing, he said he did not support measures to encourage affordability. He said lowering rising home prices would hurt property values and make homeowners who once felt wealthy because of their home equity feel poorer.
“Now there’s another threat”
Trump’s remarks, before announcing he would abandon tariffs and potentially ease international pressure, had people in Nuuk preparing for the worst.
Resident Johnny Herdman said it was “insulting” that Trump “treats the people of Greenland and the country of Greenland as a block of ice.” he said as he went out to buy a camping stove and instant mashed potatoes.
“Living in this natural environment, you have to be prepared for almost anything. Now there’s another threat – and that’s Trump,” Herdman said.
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Weissert and Madani reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Emma Burrows in Nuuk, Greenland, Jamey Keaten in Davos and Michelle L. Price in Washington contributed to this report.