European Union leaders are due to meet on Thursday in Brussels to try to find a joint response to U.S. President Donald Trump over his aspirations for Greenland.
He was due to impose an additional 10 per cent tariff on goods from several European allies from February 1, but changed his mind on Wednesday.
Mr Trump had said eight European countries would face higher tariffs until the United States secures what he described as the “complete and total purchase” of Danish-administered Greenland.
On Wednesday, Mr Trump said he would not use force and dropped his tariff threat as he mooted an unspecified NATO deal over the Arctic island.
Ahead of the summit, several officials emphasised that the EU was seeking to resolve the situation and that the bloc would consider applying countermeasures only if the threatened tariffs were imposed.
The roller-coaster week with Mr Trump means transatlantic relations are “at a crossroads”, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said ahead of the summit.
“Europe prefers dialogue and solutions, but we are fully prepared to act, if necessary, with unity, urgency and determination,” she added.

(dpa/NAN)