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Trump Cancels Greenland Tariff Threat, Cites NATO ‘Framework’ for Future Arctic Deal

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U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday, January 20, 2026, abruptly canceled a threatened round of tariffs against European allies after announcing that he and NATO leaders had agreed to a “framework of a future deal” focused on Arctic security.

The announcement eases — at least temporarily — a brewing transatlantic crisis over Greenland.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said the decision to back off proposed tariffs targeting Denmark and other NATO members followed discussions on Arctic cooperation.

Earlier in the day, he had reiterated his controversial claim that the United States should ultimately gain control of Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, arguing that it is strategically vital to counter Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic.

The reversal came just hours after Trump declared that he wanted “right, title and ownership” of Greenland, while insisting he would not use military force to obtain it. His remarks had rattled European capitals and raised fears of a serious rupture within NATO, one of the world’s most enduring military alliances.

“We probably won’t get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength and force — where we would be frankly unstoppable,” Trump said during his Davos address, before adding, “But I won’t do that. I don’t want to use force.”

NATO Tensions and Arctic Stakes

Trump described his demand for Greenland as a modest request in light of what he described as decades of U.S. security guarantees for Europe, particularly during World War II and throughout the Cold War. He argued that Washington needs greater control in the Arctic to ensure global security, despite the United States already operating a major military base on the island.

NATO officials have repeatedly stressed that Greenland is not for sale and remains under Danish sovereignty. Denmark, a founding NATO member, has maintained that any discussion of Arctic security must respect its territorial integrity.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen welcomed Trump’s assurance that military force was “not on the table,” but criticized the broader tone of the speech. “This way of thinking about territorial integrity does not match the institutions we have,” he said, underscoring that both Denmark and Greenland are part of NATO.

A Danish government official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that Copenhagen is open to talks on U.S. security concerns but emphasized that Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland remains a red line.

Greenland Reacts

In Greenland itself, Trump’s rhetoric has prompted unease. Authorities recently issued a public crisis-preparedness handbook advising residents to stockpile essentials such as food, water and fuel for at least five days.

“We just went to the grocery store and bought supplies,” said Tony Jakobsen, a resident of Nuuk, Greenland’s capital. “It’s better to be ready than not ready.”

Others reacted more sharply. Johnny Hedemann, another Nuuk resident, described Trump’s comments as “insulting,” accusing the U.S. president of reducing Greenland and its people to “just an ice cube.”

“Living in this nature, you have to be prepared for almost anything,” Hedemann said. “And now there’s another threat — and that’s Trump.”

Tariffs Paused, Uncertainty Remains

Before Wednesday’s announcement, Trump had threatened to impose tariffs starting at 10% and rising to 25% by mid-year on imports from Denmark and several other European allies unless they negotiated over Greenland’s future. European leaders warned that such measures would provoke a unified and proportional response from the European Union.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the United Kingdom would not “yield on our principles and values” regarding Greenland under tariff threats, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen cautioned that any U.S. trade action would be met firmly.

Economists had warned that a tariff escalation could destabilize the fragile U.S.–EU trade truce reached last year. Although global markets initially wobbled on Trump’s Greenland remarks, U.S. stocks recovered later on Wednesday following news of the tariff cancellation.

Davos Speech Overshadowed

Trump’s Davos appearance was originally billed as a platform to outline his plans to address rising housing costs in the United States — a key domestic issue ahead of November’s midterm elections. Instead, Greenland dominated the discussion, with the president sharply criticizing Denmark and repeatedly suggesting that Europe’s economy is weakening while the U.S. continues to boom.

“We want strong allies, not seriously weakened ones,” Trump said, claiming European economies tend to “follow us down, and you follow us up.”

Despite the dramatic rhetoric, Trump later reiterated to reporters that the United States would not invade Greenland. “Military is not on the table,” he said, adding that negotiations would rely on “better judgment.”

For now, the announced NATO framework appears to have cooled immediate tensions. Yet Trump’s insistence that the United States “will remember” Europe’s response leaves open the possibility that Greenland — and the Arctic’s growing geopolitical importance — could again become a flashpoint in U.S.-European relations.

Global Update

Influential Foreign Policy Group Sends Direct Message to Trump Warning of Global Risks From His Actions in Iran

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An Indonesian foreign policy group has released a video message addressed directly to Donald Trump, warning that recent U.S. and Israeli actions in the Middle East could destabilize global security and violate international norms.

The message was shared by Indonesian diplomat and foreign policy analyst Dino Patti Djalal on social media, where he called on viewers to share the video with policymakers and political leaders in the United States.

Djalal said he was speaking on behalf of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia, which he described as one of the largest grassroots foreign policy groups in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region.

“We hope that you will listen and hear our view,” Djalal said in the video, addressing Trump directly. “This message represents the concern of the overwhelming majority of the Indonesian people.”

Criticism Over Military Escalation

In the video, Djalal criticized what he described as growing U.S. militarism and warned that actions taken by Washington and Israel could escalate tensions across the Middle East.

The message referenced the reported killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, arguing that targeting a foreign head of state would violate international law and global norms.

“No leader of any country, no matter how powerful, has the right to plan and execute the murder of another country’s leader,” Djalal said.

He added that such actions would contradict the principles of the United Nations Charter and could set a dangerous precedent for international relations.

Concerns Over Global Stability

The video also warned that escalating conflict could spread across the Middle East, citing countries including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey and Lebanon as potentially affected by regional instability.

According to Djalal, rising tensions could undermine previous diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region, including reconciliation initiatives between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

He warned that the international system could face consequences similar to those that preceded major global conflicts.

“If direct military action to kill foreign leaders is considered fair game, then any of the world’s 193 countries could see it the same way,” he said.

Economic Impact on Indonesia

The message also highlighted potential economic consequences for Indonesia, the world’s fourth-most populous country.

Djalal said escalating conflict could push up global oil prices, putting pressure on Indonesia’s national budget and potentially leading to higher inflation, rising food prices, increased unemployment and slower economic growth.

Civil Society Appeal

Djalal framed the video as a message from civil society rather than the Indonesian government, noting that governments must often remain cautious in their diplomatic communications.

The group encouraged viewers to circulate the message widely and engage in public discussion about global security and the role of major powers in maintaining international peace.

The video adds to a growing number of international voices calling for restraint and diplomacy as tensions in the Middle East continue to draw global attention.

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Global Update

US Defence Stockpiles of Rare Earth Elements Down to Just Two Months as Iran Conflict Escalates

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The United States faces a critical vulnerability in its military capabilities, with defence stockpiles of rare earth elements reportedly sufficient for only about two months of sustained operations, according to sources cited by the South China Morning Post and echoed across industry analyses.

The alarming depletion has gained urgency amid the ongoing US-led strikes on Iran, which began on February 28, 2026. Pentagon estimates indicate that the initial days of the campaign alone consumed roughly $5.6 billion in munitions, rapidly drawing down inventories of precision-guided weapons and interceptors that rely heavily on these strategic minerals.

Rare earth elements — such as dysprosium, terbium, neodymium and others — are vital for key defence technologies, including missile guidance systems, fighter jet components, radar arrays, phased-array systems, secure communications and advanced actuators. Without reliable access to these materials, replenishing depleted stocks of systems like THAAD interceptors, Patriot missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles becomes severely constrained, potentially limiting the duration of high-intensity operations.

Colored and realistic stone mineral icon set. Image: Freepik

The shortage stems in large part from China’s near-monopoly on global processing and export of rare earths. Industry assessments suggest Chinese-controlled supply chains feature in more than 75% of US defence platforms. Beijing has periodically imposed export restrictions on dual-use minerals critical to US military contractors, amplifying concerns over supply-chain resilience during extended conflict.

The situation has handed China potential indirect leverage: analysts note that any tightening of exports could influence how long Washington can sustain its campaign against Iran. A high-level meeting on rare earth export policies is reportedly scheduled for next month, adding to the uncertainty.

The Pentagon has responded by urgently seeking fresh domestic and allied supplies of 13 critical minerals (including rare earths), issuing requests to mining companies just before the Iran strikes escalated. The Trump administration has also invested in US-based producers like MP Materials and explored partnerships to build resilient “mine-to-magnet” chains, though scaling to meet defence needs could take years.

As domestic buffers dwindle, attention is shifting toward alternative global sources, including Africa’s substantial untapped reserves. Nations such as Botswana (with a newly announced high-grade rare earth deposit containing all 15 elements plus copper, cobalt, nickel and vanadium), South Africa (rich in manganese, platinum group metals and antimony) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (over 70% of global cobalt) are positioned as strategic options to help diversify away from China-dependent chains.

The two-month stockpile window underscores a broader strategic challenge: prolonged military engagements risk exhausting not just munitions but the foundational materials needed to rebuild them, exposing vulnerabilities in US defence readiness at a time of heightened geopolitical tension.

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Global Update

Iran’s New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Reportedly Suffered Fractured Foot and Facial Injuries in Opening Airstrikes of US-Israel War

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Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, sustained a fractured foot, a bruised left eye, and facial lacerations during the initial wave of US and Israeli airstrikes on February 28, 2026, according to multiple international media reports citing Iranian officials and diplomatic sources.

Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was named supreme leader earlier this week following his father’s death in the same February 28 strike. Iranian officials told The New York Times that the new leader was sheltering in a highly secure location when the attack occurred, suffering only “minor” injuries.

He remains conscious and reportedly stable, though no public statement or appearance has been made since his appointment.

The strike that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also claimed the lives of his daughter, a grandchild, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law, according to Iran’s ambassador to Cyprus, Alireza Salarian, who spoke to The Guardian. Salarian indicated that Mojtaba Khamenei’s injuries — particularly the facial bruising and lacerations — have left him uncomfortable and unwilling to deliver a public address.

“I don’t think he is comfortable (in any condition) to give a speech,” Salarian told the Guardian, suggesting the physical and psychological impact of the attack and succession has delayed any televised or recorded statement from the new supreme leader.

Earlier speculation from Israeli media outlets had claimed Khamenei suffered a serious leg injury in the opening hours of the conflict, with CNN later reporting details of the eye bruise and facial cuts. The full extent of his injuries and current medical condition remains unconfirmed by Iranian state media, which has released no images or video of Mojtaba Khamenei since his appointment.

Notably, Khamenei was absent from his own succession rally in Tehran on Monday, where thousands of supporters gathered. State media footage showed only a large portrait of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dominating the stage, with a smaller image of Mojtaba placed to the side — an arrangement some observers described as symbolically overshadowing the new leader.

The rapid ascension of Mojtaba Khamenei — widely viewed as a continuation of dynastic rule within the clerical establishment — has drawn sharp international criticism. US President Donald Trump has publicly rejected the succession, calling the heir an “unacceptable” choice and warning that without American approval, “Iran’s new leader is not going to last long.”

The reported injuries come amid an intensifying US-Israel military campaign against Iranian targets, raising questions about command continuity, internal stability, and the Islamic Republic’s ability to project unified leadership during the ongoing conflict.

Iranian authorities have yet to issue an official medical bulletin or visual confirmation of Mojtaba Khamenei’s condition, leaving open speculation about his capacity to exercise full authority in the early days of his leadership.

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