An extraordinary day in Davos ended last night with the surprise announcement from US president Donald Trump that he had withdrawn his threat of new tariffs against eight European countries. This was because he had reached “ the framework of a future deal” for Greenland and “the entire Arctic region” with Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte. Trump will talk up a deal – if one does emerge from the negotiations due to get underway shortly – as another great victory. Europe’s leaders, harangued and mocked by Trump during his speech, had been due to consider a response to his threats today. They will note that Trump has kept the imposition of the additional tariffs as a threat if a deal is not concluded.

Source: The Irish Times January 22, 2026 08:23 UTC