European Governments Applaud U.S. Shift on Greenland Talks and Tariff Suspension

Kuala Lumpur: European leaders on Wednesday welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement outlining a framework for future discussions on Greenland and his decision to suspend planned tariffs on several European countries, describing the move as a step toward de-escalation and renewed dialogue.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said the announcement marked a positive turn. “The day is ending on a better note than it began,” he wrote on X, adding that Denmark welcomed Trump’s statement ruling out the use of force over Greenland and pausing the trade dispute. Rasmussen said Copenhagen is ready to discuss U.S. security concerns in the Arctic while maintaining Denmark’s core positions on sovereignty.

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof also described the development as “positive,” saying it showed a clear path toward easing tensions. He emphasized the importance of continued cooperation among the United States, Canada, and Europe within NATO to strengthen Arctic security and address challenges posed by Russia and China.

Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said Trump’s retreat from both tariffs and rhetoric on territorial changes was overdue, noting that Sweden and other European countries had consistently rejected what she described as pressure tactics. Sweden’s Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson echoed that view, saying coordinated European pressure had been “valuable” and stressing the need for Europe to remain economically resilient in an increasingly uncertain global environment.

In Germany, Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil told public broadcaster ZDF that mounting criticism from within the United States and across Europe contributed to Trump’s decision to reverse course on punitive tariffs. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also welcomed the announcement, saying continued dialogue among allied nations was essential.

Trump said on his Truth Social platform that the framework for a future agreement on Greenland and the broader Arctic region was discussed during his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Davos, Switzerland. As a result, he said, the tariffs scheduled to take effect on Feb. 1 would not be imposed.

Earlier this month, Trump had threatened tariffs of up to 10%, rising to 25% later in the year on goods from several European countries unless progress was made toward what he described as a deal involving Greenland. Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected any proposal to sell the territory, reiterating that the island remains under Danish sovereignty.

Greenland’s strategic location in the Arctic, its vast mineral resources, and concerns about growing Russian and Chinese activity in the region have made it a focal point of geopolitical attention.