Trump Suspends Tariffs on Eight European Countries

Washington, 22 January 2026 – United States President Donald Trump has reversed his earlier decision to impose tariffs on eight European countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, following disagreements over Greenland. The tariffs, originally scheduled to take effect from 1 February, were set at 10 per cent.

Trump announced the reversal after attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday. In a post on his Truth Social account, the President described a “highly productive” meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. The discussions reportedly laid the groundwork for a “future agreement” regarding Greenland.

“If this understanding is finalised, it will be a remarkable outcome for both the United States and NATO countries,” Trump stated. He confirmed that, based on this agreement, the planned 10 per cent tariffs on the eight European nations would not be implemented from 1 February.

However, Trump noted that further discussions are ongoing concerning the so-called “Golden Dome” linked to Greenland, and updates on progress will be provided in due course. He also said that Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special envoy Steve Whitcrof, and other officials will remain directly involved in the talks. “They will report directly to me,” he added.

During his Davos address, Trump reiterated that Greenland should ideally fall under American influence, citing its strategic significance in the Arctic amid melting ice and increased competition among global powers. He clarified, however, that the United States would not seek to seize the Danish autonomous territory by force.

Greenland, part of the Kingdom of Denmark, is rich in minerals and strategically located in the Arctic, a region of growing interest to Russia and China. The United States views control of Greenland as vital for NATO’s security and its own Arctic strategy.

Previously, in response to Trump’s Greenland ambitions, the U.S. had announced tariffs on imports from eight European nations, initially set at 10 per cent from 1 February and scheduled to rise to 25 per cent from 1 June. These nations include the UK, Germany, France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Finland.

Planned U.S. Tariffs on European Imports

The move is seen as a diplomatic compromise that maintains U.S.-European trade relations while allowing continued negotiation over Greenland’s future, balancing economic interests with strategic security concerns in the Arctic.