Donald Trump has rowed back on his threat to slap tariffs on the UK and Nato allies who opposed his ambitions to annex Greenland, after he and the alliance’s chief “formed the framework of a future deal” for the Arctic region.
The US president had only earlier on Wednesday doubled down on his threats to secure the Arctic island, a self-governing territory of Nato ally Denmark, but ruled out the use of force to do so.
"Based upon a very productive meeting that I have had with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, we have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region. This solution, if consummated, will be a great one for the United… pic.twitter.com/24b99begbb
He has threatened eight Nato countries, including Britain, with new tariffs as a result of their opposition to his ambitions for the mineral-rich territory.
Following a “very productive meeting” with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte on the fringes of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Mr Trump suggested he had now reconsidered.
On his Truth Social platform, the US president said: “We have formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region. 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.”