US President Donald Trump’s decision not to impose tariffs on European countries that disagreed with his plan to take control of Greenland was a pragmatic and sensible move. The British Prime Minister stated on Thursday Keir Starmer in an interview with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. TASR informs about it according to a Reuters report.
Trump backtracked on his threats regarding Denmark’s autonomous territory after an agreement emerged from his Wednesday conversation with NATO chief Mark Rutte in Davos, Switzerland. Details on what exactly was agreed are still scarce, but the NATO alliance has said that part of the plan is to strengthen security in the Arctic.
“Regarding recent developments and the withdrawal of threats of tariffs, I see this as a manifestation of pragmatism, common sense and adherence to our values and principles,” Starmer told Frederiksen. During her visit to Starmer’s Chequers residence, Frederiksen said Britain was one of Denmark’s oldest and most important allies and partners and thanked Starmer for his support.
“I think we can do it with a little help from our friends,” she said, highlighting the British approach. During his second term, the White House chief repeatedly called for the United States to acquire Greenland because of alleged security threats from Russia and China in the Arctic.
The American president originally threatened on January 17 that eight European countries – Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands and Finland – will impose a ten percent import duty from February 1, which will apply until the question of the acquisition of Greenland by the United States is resolved.
