According to IRNA, US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday (December 1) on his social media platform “Truth Social” that he would not impose additional tariffs on imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland, which had opposed the plan to purchase Greenland and were set to take effect on February 1. He made this decision after a “very productive meeting” with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Trump stated: “We have formed the framework of a future agreement on Greenland and indeed the entire Arctic region.” He described this potential agreement as an “excellent solution for America and all NATO member countries” and mentioned that further negotiations are ongoing, including on the “golden dome”.
Special Negotiation Team Formation
The US President announced that JD Vance, Vice President, Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, and Steve Wittkoff, Special Envoy, would be responsible for conducting negotiations and reporting directly to him.
This comes as the European Union has suspended the approval of a trade agreement with the US indefinitely following Trump’s statements and threats regarding Greenland.
Geopolitical Importance of Greenland and the Arctic Region
Greenland, the world’s largest island, is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and enjoys self-governance.
Previously, Trump had threatened to impose increasing tariffs on opposing European countries, stating that the island should become part of the United States.
On the other hand, the Arctic region has gained increasing strategic and economic importance due to the melting of ice caused by climate change and the opening of new trade routes. The White House spokesperson also announced last week that technical negotiations between Washington and Copenhagen regarding Greenland had begun.
