Jakarta, IDN Times – United States President Donald Trump has struck a significant new agreement with NATO concerning Greenland, a deal that led him to compromise on imposing a proposed 25 percent trade tariff on several NATO member nations. These countries, initially targeted by the tariffs, include Denmark, Norway, Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and Finland.
When pressed for intricate details about the newly forged agreement, Trump remained tight-lipped, citing its “complicated mechanisms.” However, he did disclose a key outcome: the United States will collaborate closely with NATO allies to access and develop Greenland’s rich mineral resources. “They will be involved in the Golden Dome project. They will be involved in mineral rights, and so will we,” Trump stated after a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, as reported by CNBC.
Following the announcement of this pivotal agreement, global stock markets experienced an immediate and drastic surge. The decision to rescind the looming 25 percent tariffs, a direct compromise stemming from Trump’s engagement with Mark Rutte, injected considerable optimism into the market. Major indices reflected this positive sentiment, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbing approximately 1.21 percent. Concurrently, the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 rose by about 1.18 percent and 1.16 percent respectively. Notable gains were also observed in the technology sector, with Nvidia’s shares increasing by 2.95 percent and AMD experiencing an even more significant jump of 7.71 percent.
The resolution between Donald Trump and NATO regarding Greenland elicited varied responses from European leaders. Denmark’s Foreign Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, expressed his appreciation for Trump’s diplomatic initiative with NATO on the issue. Rasmussen further called upon all nations globally to prioritize diplomacy and negotiation as the most effective means to resolve international challenges. In contrast, Germany’s Finance Minister, Lars Klingbeil, adopted a more cautious stance on the new agreement. Klingbeil urged continued vigilance, warning against complacency regarding Trump’s ambitions for Greenland, suggesting that the former President might yet reconsider his position and renew efforts to gain full control of the territory in the future. “It’s good that they are engaged in dialogue. However, we must wait a bit and not be too quick to hope,” Klingbeil remarked, encapsulating the measured optimism.
This latest agreement comes on the heels of a period marked by Trump’s assertive trade posture. Prior to reaching this compromise on Greenland, Donald Trump had publicly announced his intention to impose significant 25 percent trade tariffs on NATO nations. This policy was framed as a direct punitive measure against countries that had opposed the United States’ proposed acquisition of Greenland. The original plan involved a phased approach, with a 10 percent tariff slated for implementation on February 1, 2026, escalating to a full 25 percent by June 1, 2026. Separately, and highlighting the breadth of his tariff threats, Trump had also menaced France on Tuesday, January 19, 2026, with a staggering 200 percent tariff on French wine and champagne. This particular threat was a direct consequence of French President Emmanuel Macron’s refusal to join Trump’s recently established Gaza Peace Council.