US President Donald Trump said he is dropping his threat to impose tariffs on several European countries, citing what he described as a new framework with NATO on Arctic security. <\/p>\n
The abrupt about-face comes shortly after he told the World Economic Forum in Davos that the US would not use force to pursue control of Greenland.<\/p>\n
In his earlier speech, Trump reaffirmed his ambition to secure \u201cright, title and ownership\u201d of Greenland and urged NATO allies not to stand in the way, warning that refusals would carry consequences for the alliance.<\/p>\n
Trump’s address at the annual meeting of the elite in Switzerland tried to focus on his efforts to tame inflation and spur the economy back home. But his more than 70-minute address focused more on his gripes with other countries.<\/p>\n
World stunned as Trump reveals ‘forever’ Greenland deal, drops tariff threat – Watch on TVNZ+<\/a><\/p>\n European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen yesterday called Trump\u2019s planned new tariffs on eight EU countries over Greenland a \u201cmistake\u201d and questioned Trump\u2019s trustworthiness. <\/p>\n French President Emmanuel Macron said the EU could retaliate by deploying one of its most powerful economic tools, known colloquially as a trade \u201cbazooka”.<\/p>\n Earlier, Trump insisted that he wants to \u201cget Greenland, including right, title and ownership,\u201d but said he would not use force to do so while repeatedly deriding European allies and vowing that NATO should not try to block US expansionism.<\/p>\n In an extraordinary speech at the World Economic Forum, the president said he was asking for territory<\/a> that was “cold and poorly located.\u201d He said the US had effectively saved Europe during World War II and even declared of NATO: \u201cIt\u2019s a very small ask compared to what we have given them for many, many decades.\u201d<\/p>\n The implications of his remarks were nonetheless enormous, potentially rupturing an alliance that has held firm since the dawn of the Cold War and seemed among the globe’s most unshakable pacts.<\/p>\n NATO was founded by leading European nations, the US and Canada. Its other members have been steadfast in saying Greenland is not for sale and cannot be wrested from Denmark. That means the Davos meeting could be just the beginning of a larger standoff that may eventually reshape geopolitics worldwide.<\/p>\n A Danish government official told The Associated Press after Trump’s speech that Copenhagen is ready to discuss US security concerns in the Arctic. But the official, who was not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, underscored the government\u2019s position that \u201cred lines\u201d\u2014 namely Denmark\u2019s sovereignty \u2014 must be respected.<\/p>\n Trump urged Denmark and the rest of NATO to stand aside, adding an ominous warning.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want a piece of ice for world protection, and they won\u2019t give it,\u201d Trump said. \u201cYou can say yes, and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no, and we will remember.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite that, he also acknowledged: \u201cWe probably won\u2019t get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force where we would be frankly unstoppable. But I won\u2019t do that, OK?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t have to use force,\u201d he said. “I don\u2019t want to use force. I won\u2019t use force.\u201d<\/p>\n Instead, he called for opening \u201cimmediate negotiations\u201d for the US to acquire Greenland.<\/p>\n \u201cThis enormous unsecured island is actually part of North America,\u201d Trump said. \u201cThat\u2019s our territory.\u201d<\/p>\n Trump suggests Europe is fizzling while US booms<\/p>\n The president has spent weeks saying that the US will get control of Greenland no matter what it takes, arguing that Washington should be in charge there to counter threats in the surrounding Arctic sea by Russia and China. His Davos remarks articulated what that push for control might entail more clearly than before, however.<\/p>\n Danish Foreign Minister Lars L\u00f8kke Rasmussen said he was encouraged by Trump’s comment about not using US military force but called other parts of the speech \u201ca way of thinking about territorial integrity that does not match the institutions we have.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGreenland is part of NATO. Denmark is part of NATO, and we can exercise our sovereignty in Greenland,\u201d L\u00f8kke Rasmussen said.<\/p>\n In his remarks, Trump also argued that the US is booming and its economy is strong, in sharp contrast to Europe.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to see Europe go good, but it\u2019s not heading in the right direction,\u201d said Trump, who also noted, \u201cWe want strong allies, not seriously weakened ones.” He said of European economies, \u201cYou all follow us down, and you follow us up.\u201d<\/p>\n Trump turned the Davos gathering upside-down even before he got there.<\/p>\n His arrival was delayed after a minor electrical problem on Air Force One forced a return to Washington to switch aircraft. As Trump\u2019s motorcade headed down a narrow road to the speech site, onlookers \u2014 including some skiers \u2014 lined the route. Some made obscene gestures, and one held up a paper cursing the president.<\/p>\n Billionaires and top executives nonetheless sought seats inside the forum\u2019s Congress Hall, which had a capacity of around 1000, for Trump’s keynote address. When he began, it was standing room only. Attendees used headsets to listen in six languages besides English, and the reaction was mostly polite applause.<\/p>\n More than 60 other heads of state are attending the forum. After the speech, Trump met with the leaders of Poland, Belgium and Egypt and again repeated that the US. would not be invading Greenland.<\/p>\n \u201cMilitary is not on the table. I don\u2019t think it will be necessary,\u201d Trump said, suggesting that the parties involved would use better judgement.<\/p>\n Tariff threat looms large<\/p>\n