UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Thursday, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew his threat to impose tariffs on the UK and other NATO allies over their opposition to his ambitions concerning Greenland.
Trump stepped back from the proposed tariffs on Wednesday evening following talks with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The meeting, according to Trump, led to the formation of a framework for a future security agreement in the Arctic region.
The development capped a turbulent day for NATO’s European members after Trump ruled out the use of force to secure Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark rich in critical minerals. He had earlier threatened to impose 10 per cent tariffs on eight NATO countries, including the UK, for opposing his stance on the territory.
However, after what he described as a “very productive meeting” with Rutte, Trump indicated he had reconsidered his position.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, the U.S. president said: “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 Feb. 1.”
Denmark’s Foreign Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, welcomed the shift in tone, saying the day was “ending on a better note than it began.”
“Now, let’s sit down and find out how we can address the American security concerns in the Arctic while respecting the red lines of the Kingdom of Denmark,” he said.
Frederiksen’s visit to Britain is expected to include discussions with Starmer on Greenland’s sovereignty and wider Arctic security, although few details have emerged about the agreement reached between Trump and the NATO chief.
Trump told reporters the arrangement would be a “long-term deal” and an “infinite deal,” but declined to say whether it would involve the United States gaining ownership of Greenland.
UK government sources suggested there was quiet satisfaction in London that Starmer’s diplomatic approach—urging restraint and dialogue rather than direct confrontation with Trump—had paid off.
Earlier on Wednesday, Starmer told the House of Commons he would “not yield” on the issue of Greenland’s sovereignty, marking his strongest public stance yet against the U.S. president and pledging to stand firm in defence of international law and allied unity.
