Donald Trump makes extraordinary tariff U-turn after vicious Greenland spat
Donald Trump has backtracked on his threat to hit nations including the UK with tariffs in the row over Greenland
Donald Trump has backtracked on his threat(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Donald Trump has sensationally backtracked on his threat to hit the UK and other allies with tariffs in the row over Greenland.
The unpredictable US President revealed on his social media site, Truth Social, that he had changed his mind following a massive international backlash. The reversal came hours after Keir Starmer said he would stand firm against the threat of tariffs.
Mr Trump faced a huge backlash after annoucing he would bring in the measures on February 1 in response to opposition to his plans to take over Greenland.
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He wrote: “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 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.”
Mr Trump has threatened to hit Britain and other European allies with 10% tariffs from February 1 unless they agree to his purchase of Greenland. He has warned the levy will be hiked to 25% in June on Nato allies.
Speaking at PMQs on Wednesday, Mr Starmer said the UK will not yield to his threats of tariffs over opposition to his Greenland plans. He said attempting to put pressure on Nato allies opposed to Greenland of the territory was “totally wrong”.
He said the Danish prime minister is coming to the UK on Thursday, adding: “I will not yield, Britain will not yield on our principles and values about the future of Greenland under threats of tariffs, and that is my clear position.”
And in some of his strongest criticism of the US President, the PM also accused Mr Trump of using words about the Chagos Islands deal which were “different from his previous words”. He said this was for “the express purpose of putting pressure on me and Britain in relation to my values and principles on the future of Greenland”.
