TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN will travel from the Swiss Alps to Brussels today to attend an emergency summit of EU leaders, originally organised to discuss a response to Trump’s threats to seize Greenland. 

Despite the US President walking back his threats last night, the leaders of the EU’s 27 member states will still meet for a dinner today to discuss potential responses to any further confrontations with Trump. 

In a statement posted on Truth Social last night, Trump said he would not impose planned tariffs on Denmark and several other European countries after claiming a “framework” had been agreed with Nato for a future deal relating to Greenland and the wider Arctic region. 

While the stakes of tonight’s emergency summit of EU leaders are now lower, Council members are still seeking to explore the level of support for potential responses should the US change its position on tariffs yet again. 

Initially, Trump had threatened to impose tariffs of 10% on a number of EU countries from 1 February, and said that these would be increased if he was not given control of Greenland. 

In response to the threat, the European Parliament on Wednesday formally suspended the ratification process for the US trade deal.

Speaking from Davos last night, where he is attending the World Economic Forum, Micheál Martin welcomed Trump’s climbdown.

“I think it reflects what I’ve been consistently saying, that the only way to resolve issues of this kind is through dialogue, through discussion and through engagement. That is the key,” the Taoiseach told RTÉ News. 

“Collectively, we need to de-escalate this situation. We need to dial down and engage in those areas that matter: economy, society.”

While in Davos, the Taoiseach has been meeting with international companies that are located in Ireland. He said during these meetings, business leaders have expressed the importance of political stability for economic development.

“They want certainty in world politics to facilitate economic development, and so do we in Ireland,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Tánaiste Simon Harris warned that there is still much detail to emerge from the deal. 

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Donald Trump drops threat of tariffs over Greenland and says a deal is in the works

While he welcomed the development, the Tánaiste said “much volatility” remains. 

“It is important that we continue to work collectively, as a European Union, to stand up for the sovereignty of Denmark and Greenland. Greenland being a part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

“And also collectively work to seek the full implementation of the trade agreement that we already agreed with the US administration,” he told RTÉ News outside Government Buildings.

“An agreement that is key to protecting economic activity on both sides of the Atlantic,” Harris added.